Foe of Marcos Returns From Long Self-Exile

Former Congressman Raul Daza returned to Manila on Monday in a test of Philippine President Ferdinand E. Marcos’ call for self-exiled opposition leaders to take part in electoral politics here.

Daza, 50, a key figure in the anti-Marcos movement during his 12 years in the United States, faces subversion and other charges for his alleged role in a series of Manila bombings in 1980, carried out by the so-called April 6 Liberation Movement.

On arrival, Daza told reporters that he is innocent of the charges, which he called ridiculous, and said he is confident that he can prove his innocence, “given a fair trial.” Daza added that he would not be surprised if he were arrested. Anticipating arrest, his lawyers have already petitioned for his release on bail.

Marcos said last week that the former Liberal Party lawmaker must face the subversion charges and that any appeal should be made to the court and not to him. Marcos has not otherwise commented on Daza’s return.

‘Grip of Crisis’

“I am saddened that the country I left in 1973, then in the clutch of repressive martial law, is today in the grip of deepening crisis,” Daza told reporters. “I hope to help usher in a new democratic government.”

Daza was accused in the bombings along with a number of other exiled opposition politicians, including former Sen. Raul Manglapus, who is still in the United States, and former Sen. Jovito Salonga, who returned here from the United States in the spring.

The Supreme Court dismissed the charges against Salonga for lack of evidence. He is now considered a possible opposition nominee for president or vice president in the next presidential elections.

The elections are scheduled for 1987, but Marcos and his ruling KBL Party (New Society Movement) earlier this month raised the possibility of holding the vote this year, perhaps in November. A decision is expected within a month.

Daza said he is “prepared to pay any price” to help the opposition here against what he called an “unquenchable dictatorship and an insatiable elite.”

Aquino Assassination

His return comes almost two years after former Sen. Benigno S. Aquino Jr., another exile, was assassinated on arrival at Manila International Airport.

The Aquino killing, for which 25 soldiers and a civilian are standing trial, brought on a wave of opposition protest here. The demonstrations subsided last fall, but the opposition has remained politically active.