SC sets oral arguments on Salas freedom plea

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) is set to hold oral arguments on a petition to free former Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) chairman and New People’s Army commander Rodolfo Salas, who was arrested on murder charges last month.

The oral arguments will be held on March 12.

In a resolution dated March 2 but released yesterday, the SC also issued a writ of habeas corpus for Salas and directed the Manila City Jail to bring Salas to the SC’s Third Division on March 12.

The High Court also ordered the jail warden, Chief Inspector Lloyd Gonzaga, to answer the petition.

Salas, 72, was arrested over allegations he was part of the CPP’s Central Committee that ordered the execution of alleged enemies of the party.

His son, Jody, questioned the arrest and detention, saying his father’s conviction for rebellion in 1991 was based on a plea bargain deal that protects him from further prosecution for all acts in connection with rebellion.