DOJ junks case vs priest nabbed with Red suspect

SAN PEDRO CITY — The Department of Justice (DOJ) dismissed “for insufficient evidence” the case filed against Catholic priest Arturo Joseph Balagat, who was arrested with a consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).

In the same resolution issued by the DOJ’s Task Force on Special Cases, it said it found probable cause to charge NDFP peace consultant Renante Gamara with illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

Balagat, 72, and Gamara, 66, were arrested on March 20 in a joint police and army operation in the village of Poblacion II-E in Imus City, Cavite.

Authorities said they found two hand grenades and a gun at the room where Gamara was supposed to be staying inside the compound owned by the Social Concerns Multipurpose Cooperative.

Balagat, a retired priest, is chair of the cooperative.

Kristina Conti, of the Public Law Interest Center, said Balagat was released from detention on Monday evening after the resolution was issued by Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon.

“It is important to note that there is this ‘special task force’ for this type of cases that really targets politically and legally NDF consultants,” Conti said in a phone interview on Tuesday.