'GRAVE INJUSTICE'
Peers call for release of ex-rebel over arson charge

By Florence F. Hibionada

Peers of a former communist rebel arrested last week and now behind bars over an arson charge came out to condemn the arrest while demanding for his immediate release and scrapping of said criminal case.

Contained in a strongly-worded resolution, Panay Fair Trade Center (PFTC) thru Ruth Fe Salditos, chairman of the board made public and official its sentiments against the plight of its manager, ex-New People's Army (NPA) member Romeo Capalla.

"Baseless, a grave injustice and a great inconvenience," the resolution went in addressing the August 3 arrest made by police and military operatives as it decried what it stated was a longtime issue hurled anew against Capalla. As such, the group maintains that the accusation as lodged is outrightly "patently false and the curtailment of his liberty" thus "a grave injustice."

"He is being made to answer for a crime of destructive arson which he allegedly committed as a member of the outlawed New People's Army," the statement obtained by The News Today (TNT) went. "...Romeo Capalla was charged with the crime of rebellion in the past but said charges were dismissed by the court more than 10 years ago. Yet last year during a visit of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to Iloilo, a military briefing referred to Romeo Capalla as a high ranking officer of the New People's Army."

Added to it, the PFTC also lamented recent insistence that tagged Capalla as among the NPA plotters reportedly out to implement a liquidation job.

"..A few days before Romeo Capalla was arrested, intelligence reports were aired over local radio stations of an alleged plot by NPA members to assasinate Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez and subsequently Romeo Capalla was included in the list of those who allegedly plotted the assasination," the resolution went as it took note of the lack of witnesses that positively identified him as among those who committed arson years back.

Capalla marks his 11th year with the PFTC where he moved to be the manager in the past four years.

"We have observed Romeo Capalla to be dedicated to the tasks assigned to him. He was able to establish good relations with local and foreign business partners. He traveled abroad many times, visiting our partners in Europe in Italy, Sweden, Germany, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Belgium and lately this year in Germany (twice) and in France," it continued.

The PFTC stressed theirs is "an institution committed primarily to help provide livelihood to small producers, urban poor workers, small farmers and women in Panay."