Court orders Kapunan's transfer to regular jail

MANILA, Philippines - The Antipolo City Regional Trial Court (RTC) has ordered the transfer of detained former Lt. Colonel Eduardo "Red" Kapunan to a regular jail.

Kapunan is the principal suspect in the double murder of labor leader Rolando “Ka Lando” Olalia and his, driver Leonor Alay-ay. Olalia and Alay-ay were abducted on Nov. 12, 1986, tortured and murdered by alleged members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Kapunan, who surrendered last week, has been placed under the custody of the Philippine Army.

In its 4-page order, the Antipolo RTC Branch 98 ordered Kapunan’s transfer to the Rizal Provincial Jail.

“We are relieved as this is the only correct thing to do,” Edre Olalia of the National Union of People's Lawyers (NUPL) said, adding that two former RAM soldiers and subordinates of Kapunan are ready to testify against him.

Kapunan is one of 13 accused in the double murder case. The other accused include Desiderio Perez, Oscar Legaspi, Filomeno Maligaya, Cirilo Almario, Jose Bacera, Fernando Casanova, Ricardo Dicon, Gilbert Galicia, Dennis Jabatan, Gene Paris, Freddie Sumagaysay and Edger Sumido.