The Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court has ordered the release of the Filipino imprisoned in New Bilibid Prison for the 1989 murder of a United States Army Colonel, James Rowe.
In a report by Rod Vega on Super Radyo dzBB on Thursday, it was said that Muntinlupa RTC Branch 204 upheld the writ of habeas corpus filed by the camp of prisoner Juanito Itaas, considered the longest detained political prisoner.
The court in 1991 sentenced Itaas to up to 39 years in prison for the 1989 murder of James Rowe.
The shooting of Rowe happened at the intersection of Tomas Morato Street and Timog Avenue in Quezon City. His driver, Joaquin Vinuya, was also injured.
Itaas was later arrested in Davao City, admitting that he shot the victims who were in the vehicle when the incident occurred.
But at the hearing of the case, Itaas said that his captors tortured him in Davao City, so he confessed to the crime.
He was also allegedly threatened to admit the sworn statements of the Central Intelligence Service officer.
At the time, Itaas was accused of being a New People’s Army member.
Court frees Pinoy jailed for killing US Colonel James Rowe in 1989
In the year 2,000, the Supreme Court upheld the guilty verdict against Itaas.
According to the Muntinlupa court, Itaas has been imprisoned for more than 30 years. In addition, Itaas has also reportedly earned 29 years from his Good Conduct Time Allowances.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the Office of the Secretary-General had filed a motion for reconsideration of the court’s decision.
“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,” according to the secretary in a message sent to journalists.
“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.
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