Aquino Frees 4 Top Reds; One Says He May Help Her : Military’s Objections Overruled

President Corazon Aquino today freed four top Communist leaders, including the founder of the Communist Party of the Philippines, who said he might offer his help to her government.

The four were the last of about 500 political prisoners held by the administration of deposed President Ferdinand E. Marcos who were ordered freed by the new government.

In releasing the four, Aquino brushed aside objections from her top military advisers, who had argued that the men should not be freed unconditionally.

Jovito Salonga, a former senator who now heads a special Committee on Good Government, signed the order to free the four detainees after a meeting today attended by Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and Gen. Fidel V. Ramos, the military chief of staff.

Head of Party

The four include Jose Maria Sison, 47, who confirmed for the first time today at a news conference after his release that he had headed the Communist Party. The party, outlawed under Marcos, now is led by Rodolfo Salas from a secret mountain camp.

Also freed today were Bernabe Buscayno, 42, alias “Commander Dante,” former chief of the New People’s Army, the party’s military wing, and Ruben Alegre and Alexander Birondo, both described as members of a New People’s Army assassination team.

Buscayno was arrested in August, 1976, Sison in November, 1977, and the others within the last two years.

Sison, a former political science professor at the state-run University of the Philippines, told reporters that he plans to write and teach, “or I might even volunteer my help to her government. . . . It depends on what she considers my capabilities and what are the needs of her government.”

Still Ready to Fight

But Sison said he would “not hesitate” to return to armed struggle if forces loyal to ousted President Ferdinand E. Marcos attempt a comeback or if some military faction moves to overthrow the Aquino government.

Sison also said he wants to make a lecture tour of the United States, where a number of relatives live, including his mother in Los Angeles.

The four men were escorted separately to Aquino’s temporary office, where she chatted and joked briefly with Sison, Buscayno and Birondo. Alegre arrived a few minutes after Aquino had left.

Aquino promised during the campaign to release all political prisoners held by Marcos. In a speech Sunday, she said there were 484 such detainees, including the four, but there are other reports that the latest count was 517.

Salonga’s committee also is reviewing the cases of up to 200 other prisoners who the military says were convicted of common crimes but who are listed by human rights organizations as political detainees.

U.S. Military Bases

Meanwhile, Enrile told a news conference today that he favors the retention of U.S. military bases in the Philippines, but he indicated that U.S. Special Forces were not needed to train his troops to fight a mounting Communist insurgency.

Enrile also promised military reforms and civilian supremacy over the armed forces. The 62-year-old political veteran turned against Marcos and led a rebellion that drove Marcos into exile last week. Enrile retained the defense portfolio under Aquino.

The status of the huge U.S. Clark Air Base and Subic Naval Base is due for renegotiation in 1991. Aquino has said she is keeping her options open.

Aquino made her first visit as president today to Malacanang Palace, the executive mansion Marcos abandoned in haste eight days ago.

“It looks like a hotel,” she said as she climbed the stairs of the white, two-story residence.

Aquino has said she won’t live in the palace because it is too lavish, but she will use it as an office. Aides have hinted, however, that she might move into a small guest house on the grounds.