Bomb plotters to be freed

Press, 12 February 1982, Page 6

Bomb plotters to be freed

NZPA Quezon City Thirteen Filipinos accused of terrorist bombings have pleaded guilty to charges of attempting to overthrow President Ferdinand Marcos and were guaranted freedom within a few days. Judge Rodolfo Ortiz of the Quezon City Court sentenced 10 of the accused to four months imprisonment and three others to six months but gave them credit for the 16 months they were jailed while the case was pending. Prosecution lawyers said the 13 would be released in a few days pending completion of administrative procedures. The accused include Doris Baffrey. the only woman, who admitted planting a bomb that exploded in a major travel agents’ conference in October, 1980. Her 12 co-accused included former student activists, workers, and a professional boxer.

The accused are among 40 people charged with subversion as a result of urban guerrilla bombings in Manila and suburbs in 1980. One American woman was killed and 70 other people injured.

Most of the accused are at large, including three former senators Benigno Aquino. Raul Manglapus, and Jovito Salonga. who live in the United States and are alleged to have masterminded the bombings. There are also two Americans accused. Steve Psinakis of San Francisco, and Edward Gregory Kandziora of Tucson. Arizona, described by the military as bomb experts who allegedly trained Filipino terrorists in an Arizona desert. Ms Baffrey and the 12 others sentenced with her were charged as “ordinary members" of subversive groups under a law that penalises mere membership with a maximum six months imprisonment. The law imposes a< maximum death penalty on socalled “ranking leaders," as most of the United Statesbased Filopino dissidents are classified. Earlier, prosecution and defence lawyers agreed at a plea-bargaining session the 13 would be released soon after if they entered a guilty plea.