SC allows ‘Kumander Bilog’ to post bail

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court has allowed former New People’s Army (NPA) commander Rodolfo Salas to post bail in a new criminal case brought against him by authorities two decades since he completed serving a six-year sentence for rebellion.

The Supreme Court Third Division set his bail at P200,000.

The five-member division held oral arguments on March 12 on Salas’ habeas corpus petition.

In an order issued on March 16, the tribunal denied his petition to stop his trial before the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 32 for 15 counts of murder over alleged executions of suspected spies during the 1980s.

Instead, the Supreme Court granted his alternative petition to be allowed to post bail for his temporary liberty while his case is being tried.

Salas, 72, formerly known as the NPA’s “Kumander Bilog,” has been detained at the Manila City Jail Annex since he was arrested in Angeles City, Pampanga, on Feb. 18.