Stop 'coddling' Olalia murder suspect, military told

MANILA -- Human rights group Karapatan decried the military's continuing custody of its former officer who was allegedly involved in the murder of a labor group leader in 1986.

Karapatan said the military "kept under its wings" former Air Force colonel and Reform the Armed Forces Movement (RAM) leader Red Kapunan instead of turning him over to civilian authorities.

Kapunan is one of the primary suspects in the murder of lawyer Rolando Olalia, the then chair of Kilusang Mayo Uno, and his driver, Leonor Alay-ay, in November 1986.

He formally surrendered on October 6 at Fort Bonifacio and is currently under the Army's Custodial Management Unit.

The human rights group said placing Kapunan under military custody instead of putting him in civilian jail - similar to the case of other military officials tagged in crimes - is a "highly irregular practice."

“We are not surprised at all at this collusion between the military and its former ward," Karapatan said.

The military earlier assured that while Kapunan is under its custody, no special treatment is being given to him.

The military is also just awaiting orders from the court where to bring Kapunan, whose arraignment is scheduled on October 17. (Emmanuel Louis Bacani/Sunnex)