CAGAYAN de Oro City — Four former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were acquitted by the Regional Trial Court Branch 25 here on Aug. 19 after a six-year trial in what the court described as the first International Humanitarian Law (IHL) case filed in Mindanao.
Executive Judge Arthur Abundiente presided over the proceedings and ordered the release of Raquel Dahoyla, Ryan Daluniag, Jhon Egama and Ronell Nobong following the court’s finding that the prosecution failed to prove their guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
The case stemmed from a May 28, 2020 incident in Limonda, Opol, Misamis Oriental, where the accused were charged in connection with the alleged burning of churches and houses.
In its ruling, the court found the prosecution’s evidence insufficient to support a conviction, particularly questioning the reliability of testimony identifying the accused.
Abundiente noted that the prosecution witness had described the alleged perpetrators as wearing masks, raising doubts about whether the accused could be reliably identified.
The court ultimately ruled that the evidence did not meet the standard required for conviction and ordered the four accused released.
One other accused remains at large.
Abundiente said RTC Branch 25 has been designated as a special court for IHL cases in Mindanao, allowing it to hear cases involving alleged violations of international humanitarian law.
He said the court also handles IHL cases originating from other areas, including Bukidnon.
The Aug. 19 proceedings marked a significant development in Mindanao’s IHL cases, concluding a trial that had lasted six years.
The acquittal, however, does not erase the allegations surrounding the 2020 incident. It means only that the prosecution failed to establish the accused’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt — the standard required for a criminal conviction.
