Bayan asks AFP to return P1.5M seized from Tiamzons

MANILA, Philippines - Militant group Bayan on Wednesday asked the Armed Forces of the Philippines to return the P1.5 million reportedly seized from communist leaders Benito Tiamzon and Wilma Austria during their arrest on March 22 in Cebu.

In a handwritten message to a forum organized by Bayan on the current status of the peace process, the Tiamzons said that case donations for Yolanda victims were among the items taken from them during their arrest last March 22 in Cebu.

"Ang P1 milyon na padala ng South Mindano sa kasamaang palad ay kabilang sa mga nakumpiska nang arestuhin kami... Hawak ito ngayon ng Central Command ng AFP.  Hinahabol naming mabawi ito upang mapadala sa kinauukulang biktima ng Yolanda.  Pati ang may P500,000 na operational at medical budget namin para sa ilang buwan na kabilang sa nakumpiska ay ilalakip na rin namin sa tulong sa mga biktima ng Yolanda kapag nabawi,” the Tiamzons wrote in their message.

Bayan said that the AFP should return the full amount to the lawyers of the Tiamzons and not treat the money as some kind of war booty to line the pockets of military officials.

The group also called on the Aquino government to sit down with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines in the context of the peace talks to address the various issues related to Yolanda rehabilitation.

Informal talks were supposed to be held in May between the NDFP and government panel. The issue of Yolanda rehabilitation was expected to be on the agenda.

"Last February, in the presence of the Royal Norwegian Government representative, the NDFP expressed its willingness to undertake informal talks with the GPH to discuss 'doables' such as the rehabilitation for Yolanda victims. Talks included plans for helping coconut farmers severely affected by the storm. On February 27, Alex Padilla of the GPH peace panel met with NDFP representatives and was said to have agreed to the holding of exploratory talks in May 2014," Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr. said.

"It is in the interest of the millions of Yolanda victims in the Visayas that the peace talks resume and the matter of socio-economic reforms, in particular the plight of the storm victims, be on the immediate agenda," Reyes said.