Muntinlupa Court orders release of longest-detained political prisoner

A Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court has ordered the New Bilibid Prison to release Juanito Itaas, the country’s longest detained political prisoner.

According to Rod Vega’s report on Super Radyo dzBB, the Muntinlupa RTC Branch 204 granted the writ of habeas corpus filed by Itaas' camp.

Itaas was charged with murder and sentenced to 39 years of imprisonment in 1991 by a regional trial court in connection to the death of United States Army Colonel James Rowe in 1989.

In June 1989, Rowe was killed in a shooting incident at the corner of Tomas Morato Street and Timog Avenue in Quezon City while his driver, Joaquin Vinuya, was severely injured.

Itaas was arrested in Davao City and then brought to Manila, where he confessed that he was one of those who fired at the car.

However, Itaas later testified that he was tortured by his captors in Davao City, adding that he was "blindfolded, hit, and mauled while cellophane was placed on his head, leading him to lose consciousness."

Itaas further said that he was threatened to admit to sworn statements by a Central Intelligence Service officer.

At the time, Itaas was also accused of being a member of the New People’s Army.

Despite this, the Supreme Court in 2000 affirmed the conviction and found him guilty beyond reasonable doubt, and sentenced him to reclusion perpetua.

According to the Muntinlupa court, Itaas has been detained for more than 30 years while he earned 29 years from his Good Conduct Time Allowances.

Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the Office of the Secretary General has filed a motion for reconsideration.

“As I have said earlier, the Supreme Court has the final say on any and all issues of constitutionality. The OSG has filed an MR in the RTC. it is ready to challenge the trial court’s ruling all the way up,” he said in a message to reporters.

“The DOJ crafted the revised implementing rules and regulations of the GCTA law in accordance not only with the letter but more so with the spirit of the law,” he added. — BM, GMA News