Temporary freedom for 10 NDF leaders sought

MANILA, Philippines - The government has asked the Supreme Court (SC) to order the temporary release from detention of 10 leaders of the National Democratic Front (NDF) to allow them to participate in the peace talks in Oslo, Norway set this month.

In an urgent motion filed through the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) earlier this week, the government sought the release of Tirso Alcantara, Alex Birondo, Winona Birondo, Maria Concepcion Bocala, Reynante Gamara, Alan Jazmines, Ma. Loida Magpatoc, Adelberto Silva, Benito Tiamzon and Wilma Tiamzon, who are all standing trial for various crimes.

The OSG also included in its pleading Rafael Baylosis, another NDF leader who already posted bail in a criminal case but forfeited it after failing to appear in hearings.

Government lawyers led by Solicitor General Jose Calida told the high court that all 11 NDF leaders would have a “crucial role” in the peace talks where they are supposed to serve as consultants.

The OSG specifically asked the high court “to issue an order to the individual regional trial courts to order the conditional and temporary release” of the 10 detained NDF members and the renewed grant of bail to Baylosis.

The NDF leaders are facing four different criminal cases, including a multiple murder case involving the killing of 15 suspected government spies in Inopacan, Leyte in 1985 pending with the Manila Regional Trial Court and where Baylosis and the Tiamzon couple stand accused.

In seeking temporary release of the NDF leaders, the OSG has proposed several conditions to the SC.

It suggested the accused be released “only for the purpose of their attendance and participation” in the formal peace negotiations in Oslo, Norway starting Aug. 20, 2016.

The OSG said the period of their temporary release “shall not exceed six months.”

The OSG also proposed that a cash bond of P100,000 each be posted with the Office of the Clerk of Court, the NDF leaders must provide complete contact information both in the Philippines and Norway and shall undertake to return to the Philippines after the formal peace negotiations in Oslo.

The NDF leaders should also be required to report to the Philippine embassy in Norway whenever required, it added.

In the case of Baylosis, the OSG said he should first surrender and submit to the jurisdiction of the courts before being granted relief by the SC.

The OSG stressed the attendance of the consultants to the NDF panel in the peace negotiations “is crucial to the success of the peace talk agreement.”

The government peace panel met with their counterparts in the NDF panel in Oslo last June.

The NDF is the political arm of the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army, representing the communists in the talks with the Philippine government.

It was agreed to resume the peace talks this month under the auspices of the Royal Norwegian government as third party facilitator.

Presidential peace process adviser Jesus Dureza earlier explained the talks were moved from July to August to ensure that the CPP-NPA-NDF will be well represented.  

The scheduled peace talks almost hit a snag when President Duterte scuttled the unilateral ceasefire he earlier declared following the NPA ambush in Davao del Norte last week.

Duterte said his administration is still ready not just to talk but to hold “marathon” peace negotiations with communist rebels.

Various groups supported Duterte’s call for marathon talks with the rebels.

Johnny Balawag of the Department of Education National Employees’ Union and Yes for Peace group suggested the peace talks should be live streamed over social media.

“This will enable all stakeholders to keep abreast of developments as well as review what has transpired whenever they want or need to through social media,” Balawag said.  – With Ramon Lazaro