AFP: NDFP demand shows lack of sincerity

MANILA, Philippines - The demand of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) to release its supposed consultants facing criminal charges reflects its lack of sincerity in pursuing the peace talks, a senior military official said yesterday.

Brig. Gen. Eduardo del Rosario, Armed Forces’ Civil Relations Service chief, said the demand of NDFP chairman Luis Jalandoni to free Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) leader Alan Jazmines and New People’s Army (NPA) commander Tirso Alcantara is “ridiculous.”

“It not only insults the intelligence of the government peace negotiators but also reveals the NDFP’s insincerity in the peace talks,” Del Rosario said in a statement.  

He said the NDFP should not use its immunity privileges to secure the freedom of individuals with pending cases.  

“They should not abuse the immunity privilege granted to their legitimate consultants by extending the same privilege to those facing criminal charges. Doing so is deceptive, malicious and self-serving,” he said.  

Last Sunday, Jalandoni said the government’s failure to free their consultants would “seriously prejudice” the peace talks.

He said the continuous detention of Jazmines, Alcantara and other peace consultants casts doubt on the government’s sincerity in pursuing the talks.

Jazmines, a member of the CPP central committee, was arrested in Baliuag, Bulacan last Feb. 14, a day before the resumption of the formal talks in Norway.

Jazmines, who used the alias “Ka Dex,” has been charged with rebellion and murder.

On the other hand, Alcantara was nabbed last Jan. 4 in Lucena, Quezon. The leader of the NPA in Southern Luzon, he was implicated in 23 criminal cases.