KIDAPAWAN CITY – The local court in Northern Mindanao released from prison a human rights worker, who was accused of being a top-ranking leader of the New People’s Army, after five years of incarceration.
Jay Apiag of human rights group Karapatan Southern Mindanao said the court dismissed on Friday all criminal charges filed against Dominiciano Muya, resident agriculturist of the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines based in Davao de Norte.
Muya was arrested on October 16, 2014 in Mankilam Village, Tagum City, Davao del Norte, and was accused as a high-ranking leader of the New Peoples’ Army with a P4.8 million bounty on his head.
He was charged with illegal possession of firearms, multiple murder, double frustrated murder, robbery with double homicide, and damage to properties.
He was detained at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) compound in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.
“This is people’s victory. But Muya’s liberty is just a single part of our larger demand to free all political prisoners in the country,” Apiag said.
Muya is a staff of the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines who manages the sustainable agricultural program of the community schools for the indigenous peoples including the Salugpongan Ta Tanu Igkanugon Community Learning Center. (Malu Cadelina Manar)
