Court upholds acquittal of 2 Aetas
THE Olongapo City Regional Trial Court has denied the government’s motion for reconsideration seeking the reversal of the acquittal of 2 Aetas who were arrested while descending from a mountain in Zambales on accusations linking them to the communist movement.
This means the acquittal of Japer Gurong and Junior Ramos, the first to be charged for violating the hugely-controversial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, stands.
The prosecution’s motion for reconsideration is denied for lack of merit,” read the two-page order of Presiding Judge Melani Fay Tadili.
The court pointed out that “the grant of accused’ demurrer’ to evidence operates as an acquittal and thus, reconsideration of the same will subject them to double jeopardy.”
Gurong and Ramos were nabbed on accusations linking them to communist New People’s Army. They were arrested while descending from a mountain in Sitio Lumibao, Bgy. Buhawen, San Marcelino, Zambales, where an encounter between the military and rebels had just transpired.
Gurong and Ramos last February 2 asked the Supreme Court to declare the controversial legislation unconstitutional via a petition-in-intervention. They, however, withdrew their petition.
President Duterte signed a stricter anti-terrorism bill, condemned by critics and rights groups as a weapon to target opponents and stifle free speech.
Duterte has defended the law, saying law-abiding citizens should not fear as it targets terrorists, including communist insurgents.
Judge Tadili granted the Aetas demurrer as evidence.
