Lejun dela Cruz released after court dismisses murder charges

Lejun dela Cruz, a nominee for the Magsasaka party list and a labor leader, was released from jail on Sunday after almost two months in detention. The Las Piñas Regional Trial Court dismissed the murder charges against him. The decision came after the court accepted his demurrer to evidence, which argued that the prosecution did not provide enough proof. Dela Cruz was arrested on February 2 in connection with a 1992 murder case. He claims the police attempted to assassinate him. Following his release, he plans to file countercharges against the Marikina police officers who arrested him. His legal team is questioning the delay in the prosecution's case, noting that similar charges were filed in separate Las Piñas courts in 2000 and 2020.