MANILA, Philippines – More than a year after she was arrested, Andrea Rosal, daughter of the late New People's Army (NPA) spokesperson Gregorio "Ka Roger" Rosal, was ordered released on Monday, September 7.
Judge Rodolfo Obnamia Jr of the Quezon Regional Trial Court Branch 64 in Mauban supported Rosal's motion to quash murder charges against her, according to Maria Kristina Conti, one of Rosal's lawyers.
In a statement, the National Union of Peoples' Lawyers said lawyers from the NUPL and Karapatan are working to secure Rosal's release "as there is no more legal basis or impediment to hold her in custody."
"We're just securing clearances in Quezon, then [we will] proceed to Bicutan, Taguig City Jail Female Dormitory," Conti said in a text message to Rappler.
Rosal was arrested on kidnapping, murder, and homicide charges in March 2014. She was 7 months pregnant when she was arrested in Caloocan City.
In May 2014, Rosal's two-day old daughter died due to “persistent pulmonary hypertension." But human rights group Karapatan blamed the baby's death on the alleged ill treatment of Andrea while she was detained.
In July last year, a Pasig court also dismissed kidnapping and murder charges against Rosal. – Rappler.com