Top Marcos aide to face trial

Top Marcos aide to face trial

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.