MANILA, Philippines –After almost 35 years, the Philippine court set a rule on a double murder case of labor leader Rolando Olalia and Leonor Alay-ay
On November 13, 1986, Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) leader Rolando Olalia and his driver Leonor Alay-ay were found dead in Antipolo, Rizal bearing bruises and stab wounds and a gunshot in their heads and a scar on Olalia’s leg being the only identifying mark that confirmed his identity. The two were abducted by armed men on the night of November 12, 1986, along Julia Vargas Avenue in Pasig City.
It took 21 years for the Supreme Court to rule that the trial courts may proceed with the case, and after more than a year before it was presented to a judge. Rolando Rico, Olalia’s Son became one of the private prosecutors in the case.
There were 13 suspects in their murder, all of them are said to be members and ranking officers of Rebolusyonaryong Alyansang Makabansa (RAM). One of the accused is Col. Red Kaounan who is currently the Philippines’Ambassador to Germany. The court granted his demurrer to evidence and was cleared in the year 2016. The other nine accused are still at large and only three of them were convicted and sentenced to Reclusion Perpetua, found guilty without eligibility of parole, by Judge Marie Claire Victoria Mabutas Sordan who broadcast the verdict via video conferencing yesterday, October 12, 2021.
RAM is considered a right-wing foundation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) during those times. RAM is headed by former Senators Juan Ponce Enrile and Gregorio Honasan.
“The court is not persuaded by the evidence presented by the accused in their defense. Suffice it to say that defenses of denial and alibi are inconsequential,” said Judge Sordan.
“Our victory today has only stiffened our resolve to never abandon our search for the remaining nine men involved in our father’s brutal killing,” Atty. Rolando Rico Olalia said in a statement.