He was released after the monarchy was overthrown by a group of revolutionary officers in July 1952.[1] Following the 1952 revolution, he became a member of the Voice of the Peasants newspaper's editorial board.[11] When two of Hatata's DMNL comrades escaped detention, they fled and temporarily stayed at Hatata's home. Hatata was under police surveillance at the time and upon learning of it, the three left for the house of another released DMNL comrade. However, they were tracked down and arrested.[10]