Remember Ka Lando
A big crowd stormed the streets at Olalia’s funeral. It was photographed in the newspapers. What it did not capture, however, was the long march to justice.
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A big crowd stormed the streets at Olalia’s funeral. It was photographed in the newspapers. What it did not capture, however, was the long march to justice.
Today, Oct. 12, 2021, a Philippine court will finally rule on the nearly 35-year murder case of labor leader Rolando Olalia and Leonor Alay-ay.
BULATLAT SPECIAL REPORT:
“It takes too long to process cases where the complainants are poor and the suspects are rich and it almost always decides in favor of the latter.”
“The message is clear: lowly soldiers should not follow illegal orders from superiors because they will walk free and (lowly soldiers) will take the fall.”
“The special treatment being given to [Ret. Col,. Eduardo ] Kapunan and being denied to his co-accused further exposes the rotten judicial system in the country. It definitely bodes ill for the quest for justice in the Olalia-Alay-ay double murder case.” – Kilusang Mayo Uno
“[Judge Ma. Consejo] Ignalaga’s act paves the way for the acquittal of Kapunan and the clearing of the names of people who were higher than him in the Reform the Armed Forces Movement (RAM) chain of command, people who masterminded the murder of our comrades Olalia and Alay-ay.”
By MARYA SALAMAT
Former Sgt. Eduardo Bueno named at least six soldiers involved in the surveillance, abduction, torture and murders of labor leader Rolando Olalia and companion Leonor Alay-ay, but, he said, he read in newspapers that most of them had been gunned down one by one.
By MARYA SALAMAT
“He turned to me for a moment, then turned his attention back to the person in front of him – I think it was a person wearing or covered in white, and I saw Sgt. Dennis Jabatan stab at the person twice.”
By MARYA SALAMAT
According to state witness Medardo Dumlao Barreto, they were assured that higher-ups from the Defense Department gave the go signal to abduct labor leader Rolando Olalia and companion Leonor Alay-ay.
By MARYA SALAMAT
“Tulungan nyo sila nang matapos na yang trabaho.” (‘Help them finish that job.’) a witness quoted Col. Eduardo Kapunan Jr. telling them. And it was Sgt. Sumido who informed witness that “the job is regarding Rolando Olalia.”
See also: Lawyer, jail warden, NBI pave way for suspect’s transfer to NBI custody
By MARYA SALAMAT
“Why is he with the Philippine Army considering he’s already retired and supposedly the (double murder) case had no connection with the Armed Forces of the Philippines?”– Rolando Rico Olalia, lawyer and son of the victim
By MARYA SALAMAT
Despite evidences and eyewitnesses, the accused killers of Olalia and Alay-ay, thirteen known members of RAM, have so far evaded arrest by invoking the amnesty granted them after their failed coups.
By MARYA SALAMAT
The accused and powerful personalities backing them have used political influence, legal wrangling, and even veiled threats to elude justice.
By MARYA SALAMAT
The sudden “surrender” of one of the suspects after 26 years, and mysterious press release, raised the suspicions of labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno.
By RONALYN V. OLEA Bulatlat.com ANTIPOLO CITY, Rizal – Labor leader Nita Gonzaga described Rolando “Ka Lando” Olalia as a charismatic leader. Unlike his father Felixberto “Ka Bert” Olalia Sr. who was very strict and a “hard liner,” Ka Lando had a good humor. “He...
“It angers us that after 25 years, no one has been punished for the death of an important labor leader in the country’s history. Olalia is a victim of the injustice that he fought against in his entire life.” – KMU
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