AFP rejects CPP consultant's release

MANILA, Philippines - The military yesterday rejected the call of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) for the release of their consultant, Alan Jazmines.

“We will always uphold the rule of law and in upholding the rule of law, he (Jazmines) has to face the criminal cases against him,” said Armed Forces spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. “No one is above the law.”

Burgos disputed CPP’s claim that the government has no compassion for allowing the detention of Jazmines.

“There are many 65-year-old prisoners who are still languishing in jail. There are procedures in seeking consideration that we have to follow,” he said.

Jazmines, a member of the CPP central committee, was arrested in Baliuag, Bulacan on Feb. 14, 2011. He was charged with rebellion and murder.

The National Democratic Front has claimed that the arrest of Jazmines was illegal since he is working as its peace consultant. It cited the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees, which said officials and consultants of the NDF involved in tasks related to the peace talks have immunity from arrest.