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Court junks case vs Capalla for insufficient evidence

By Erly C. Garcia

Exactly 30 days after he was detained at the Iloilo Rehabilitation Center (IRC) for the case of destructive arson, arrested ex-rebel Romeo Capalla was issued his release orders yesterday (Monday) by Judge Teodulo Colada of the Municipal Trial Court in Guimbal, Iloilo.

Colada ruled the dismissal of the case filed against Capalla for lack of evidence.

Around 2:00 p.m. yesterday Capalla freely walked out of the gates of IRC.

He was welcomed by his wife and supporters.

Capalla, 56, allegedly the former commanding officer of the Corazon Chiva Waling-waling Command of the Panay Regional Party Committee of the New Peoples Army was arrested August 3 in a checkpoint in Oton by the joint team of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office and the Task Force Panay.

Capalla was accused of destructive arson for allegedly ordering the burning of EC De Luna's asphalt batching plant in Barangay Particion, Guimbal on May 12, 2004.

EC De Luna's asphalt batching plant was allegedly set to fire by rebels after the construction firm refused to pay revolutionary taxes. The suspect was allegedly seen by a witness in the crime scene.

Earlier, various groups called for the release of Capalla claiming that his arrest was illegal.

Capalla who is the current manager of the Panay Fair Trade Center in Oton, Iloilo denied he was one of the planners in the burning of EC De Luna's equipment though he admitted he was once the operations officer of the NPA.

Panay Fair Trade Center engages in the export of banana chips, muscovado sugar and ginger tea to different countries in Europe and United States of America.

The Iloilo Legal Assistance Center (ILAC) headed by Atty. Janne Baterna defended Capalla who was detained without bail.

Various militant groups had conducted protest rallies outside IRC calling for the release of Capalla whom they claim was illegally detained.

To recall, the Philippine Army's Task Force Panay formerly headed by Col. Nestor Ochoa boasted the arrest of Capalla as one of their recent major accomplishments.

Asked of his reaction on the release of Capalla, Major Lyndon Sollesta, public information officer of the 3 rd Infantry Division Philippine Army said they respect the decision of the court.

“That's the beauty of democracy. It simply shows that he (Capalla) was given due process,” says Sollesta, adding “we believe in our justice system and if that is how the court looks at the case, so be it.”