NDF consultant granted bail, to attend peace talks in Norway

NDF consultant Rafael Baylosis with his counsel Atty. Rachel Pastores and some members of Kilusang Mayo Uno. PHOTO FROM EDRE OLALIA

The Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 32 on Friday reinstated bail for one of 25 National Democratic Front consultants facing criminal charges but that the government hoped would attend peace talks in Norway starting Aug. 20.

Edre Olalia of the National Union of People’s Lawyers that represents Rafael Baylosis said Judge Thelma Bunyi-Medina set his bail at P150,000.

Olalia said the Supreme Court had set bail for Baylosis, who is facing multiple murder charges, at P100,000 but this was forfeited after he did not attend his arraignment on July 30, 2015 due to “intense surveillance and threats to his family.”

READ: Red leaders arraigned for 1980s ‘purge’ killings

Olalia said Medina’s decision was in accordance with the Aug. 2 Supreme Court resolution that, citing jurisdictional issues, rejected the release of 11 of the 25 consultants for them to participate in the peace process, but remanded the cases to  local courts.

READ: SC junks bid for release of NDF heads invited in Oslo talks

“(Baylosis) is the first of the NDF consultants whose bail was granted by a regional trial court. This would start the ball rolling (for the peace talks),” Olalia said.

He said he remained “confident” and “optimistic” that the remaining consultants would be granted bail in time for Aug. 20.