An Olongapo City court has ordered the provisional release of the public high school teacher from Zambales who was arrested last week over a tweet offering P50-million for President Rodrigo Duterte's head.
Mas posted bail of P72,000, Judge Richard Paradeza of the Olongapo Regional Trial Court ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to release him unless he is detained for another lawful cause.
The judge set the 25-year-old teacher's arraignment and pre-trial for May 28.
“After eight long days of illegal detention, Ronnel Mas, a school teacher, has finally been granted provisional liberty after the family posted bail and Branch 72 of the Regional Trial Court issued a release order,” the militant teachers’ organization Alliance of Concerned Teachers-Philippines said in a statement on Tuesday.
“This initial victory sends a powerful message that the seemingly abosulte power of a repressive regime can be and will be challenged by even the most ordinary Filipinos such as Teacher Ronnel,” ACT said.