Batangas court orders release of jailed activist
MANILA, Philippines — A Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Tanauan City has ordered the release from jail of a leader of the militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) whose house was raided by the police during the series of security operations now infamously known as “Bloody Sunday.”
The Oct. 25 decision of Presiding Judge Jose Ricuerdo Flores of Tanauan RTC Branch 6 absolving Erlindo Custodio of criminal charges was the latest in the string of legal debacles of the government in its attempt to link progressive groups to the communist movement.
Custodio, spokesperson for Bayan in Batangas province, was charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives after police officers raided his house in Barangay San Vicente, Sto. Tomas City, on March 7.
Custodio, who was not in his house at the time of the raid, was arrested by the police in Sariaya town, Quezon province, on Oct. 6.
