Marcos to free arch-opponent?

Press, 12 June 1978, Page 8

Marcos to free arch-opponent?

NZPA-Reuter Manila President Ferdinand (Marcos has amended Philippines amnesty laws in a way that enables him to free the detained former Senator, Benigno Aquino, the coun- ! try’s most prominent politi'cal detainee, at any time. A Presidential announcement on the amendment made no mention of Mr Aquino, who is 45. but it is widely believed that the change was made mainly to allow freedom for the Opposition leader without any implication of guilt on his I : part despite pending subversion and other charges. Amendments to the amnesty laws were under nego(tiation for several days amid (predictions that Mr Aquino, (whose continued detention (has been Mr Marcos’s biggest political embarrassment, (would be freed to coincide i with the opening of a (newly-elected interim National Assembly today. A Presidential announcement yesterday said that the scope of amnesty had been broadened “to hasten the restoration of tranquility and stability of the nation pursuant to Government policy of reconciliation with persons arrested and charged as transgressors of the law.” A military tribunal last i November sentenced Mr . Aquino to death by firing squad on charges of subversion, murder, and illegal arms possession, but the (trial was reopened on Presi(dential orders after the (defence protested that they had not been allowed to ;make closing statements. Mr Aquino has previously (turned down offers of am(nesty or pardon that would

have implied forgiveness. He! has steadfastly held that he I has done nothing wrong. ( Yesterday’s announcementsaid: “The Pr dent ob-| served that one of the ob-j stacles to unity is the de-i tention of persons charged, with such crimes as subver-( sion. rebellion, sedition, ille-; : gal possession of firearms, ■ or other offences — by per-( sons deserving understanding and forgiveness. “The President expressed! the hope that such amnesty: — given to persons even (without further inquiry their guilt or innocence and without waiting for final: judgment by the court of( tribunal — would lead to; the tranquility and stability of the nation.” It outlined procedures forapplicants to apply on prescribed forms before September 30 this year, but informed sources said that Mr, Aquino had already com-’ pleted the necessary forms. Lawyers said that theyj 1 considered the amendments,: worked out between Govern-( 1 ment and Aquino lawyers,! were made specifically to; bring a quick end to Mr! Aquino’s detention on terms; that could be accepted by( 1 both the President and the Opposition leader. It has been widely known! ■ during the six years of mar- ; tial law that the two men were engaged in a battle of( wills and neither was prepared to make personal . concessions to the other. ; Informed sources believe! Mr Aquino, in continuous! 1 detention since the emergency clampdown, will be re-! (leased almost immdiately (and will leave for the United! [States.