'Arrest of rebel leader not violation of ceasefire agreement'

MANILA, Philippines - A detained suspected communist rebel leader would not be released since his arrest did not violate the ceasefire agreement with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), Malacañang said yesterday.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said Pedro Codaste was not listed as a consultant of the National Democratic Front (NDF) negotiating panel.

“He is not covered under the JASIG (Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees),” he said.

JASIG provides immunity from arrest to NDF members, consultants and negotiating panel staff members for the peace talks in February next year.

Lacierda said Codaste’s arrest was based on a standing warrant from the Malaybalay City Regional Trial Court for murder and frustrated murder.

Troops accosted Codaste while passing through a military checkpoint in Agusan del Sur, Lacierda said.

Armed Forces chief Gen. Ricardo David ordered troops yesterday to be ready for New People’s Army (NPA) attacks during the Christmas truce.

“They (troops) should not relax even if there is a suspension of military offensive,” he said.

“We are unsure if the communist leadership has full control (of their men) down the line.”

Meanwhile, communist rebels accused yesterday deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte of knowing nothing about legitimate acts of war and international humanitarian law.

In a statement, the CPP said Valte failed to mention in her pronouncement condemning the NPA’s killing of 10 soldiers in Northern Samar last Tuesday that the military was carrying out a search-and-destroy operation against the rebels in Las Navas town.

“The fact that the 803rd Brigade tried to score against the NPA on the eve of the simultaneous holiday ceasefire and get away with it smacks of treachery,” read the CPP statement.

“The NPA in the area had to defend itself, its territory and its mass base and launch a counter-offensive against the attacking government forces.

“That the AFP soldiers were on their way back to base to prepare for the ceasefire is a claim made by the AFP psy-war mill.” – With Jaime Laude, Rhodina Villanueva