Top Marcos aide to face trial

Mon, 28 Jul 1997 | Source: DPA

MANILA (DPA): Philippine President Fidel Ramos said a former aide of deposed strongman Ferdinand Marcos would have to face the courts when he returns to the country after more than 11 years in exile, a news report said yesterday.

Ramos said former Gen. Fabian Ver was free to return to the country, but stressed that the former armed forces chief of staff has to answer charges related to alleged abuses and violations of human rights during Marcos' 20 year-rule.

Manila had refused to allow Ver -- who is reported to be terminally ill -- and his family to return to the Philippines in the past, noting that while he no longer poses a security threat to the country, he could trigger social instability, mass outrage and protest.

Ver, considered to be the right-hand man of Marcos, had been accused of being involved in the assassination of opposition leader Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino in 1983.

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