Ramon Rescovilla, the leader of Condor, the regional chapter of Piston in Bicol, was released after more than four years of imprisonment on December 4. The court dismissed the charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives filed against him.

The Duterte regime arrested and detained Rescovilla on September 7, 2020, in Barangay Kilicao, Daraga, Albay, using an arrest warrant for a murder case. He had previously posted bail for that case on February 9, 2023.

However, he remained in prison due to what human rights groups call “planted evidence” of firearms and explosives. According to the court, the case was dismissed due to the prosecution’s failure to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the weapons alleged seized were indeed his.

While in detention, state forces tortured Rescovilla. In an interview with the alternative media outlet Baretang Bikolnon, he stated that he is ready to return to the streets to fight alongside ordinary drivers and jeepney operators.

Rescovilla was among those who led and stood up against the first wave of implementing the pro-foreign and business-oriented jeepney phaseout program.