Cavite priest nabbed with NDF consultant freed

SAN PEDRO CITY – Catholic priest Arturo Joseph Balagat was released from detention on Monday evening, a public interest lawyer said on Tuesday.

Balagat, 72, was arrested on March 20 in Imus City, Cavite, after the police and Army raided his home and the office of the Social Concerns Multipurpose Center, which Balagat chairs.

The target of the government operation was Renante Gamara, 66, a consultant of the National Democratic Front (NDF) of the Philippines.

Police said they found hand grenades and a gun from the room where Gamara was supposedly staying.

Kristina Conti of the Public Interest Law Center confirmed Balagat’s release although she said her office had yet to get a copy of the Department of Justice resolution.

Gamara remained in detention as he faced charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives./lzb