2 suspected female NPA rebels out on bail; 2 others remain in jail

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — Two suspected female members of the New People’s Army in Nueva Ecija have been released on bail, but two other women remained locked up for illegal possession of explosives, a non-bailable offense.

Elaine Edzel Emocling, 23; and Rachel Galario, 20; posted bail for charges of illegal gun possession and were freed by the Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Cabanatuan City on Tuesday.

The CIDG still has custody of Eulalia Ladesma, 44; and Yolanda Ortiz, 46; who were held for possession of explosives. The four women were arrested in Rizal town on Oct. 13.

A lawyer sent by human rights watchdog Karapatan was granted access to Ladesma and Ortiz on Tuesday, said Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay in a telephone interview on Wednesday.

She claimed that the women were put behind bars on “trumped up” charges as they were activists. /ee