CPP condemns arrest of NDFP consultant Jazmines, demands immediate release*
CPP Information Bureau
February 15, 2011
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) today condemned the arrest yesterday afternoon of CPP leader Allan Jazmines in Baliwag, Bulacan by combined military and police forces. The CPP demanded the immediate release of Jazmines.
According to the CPP, the arrest of Jazmines is in "gross violation" of the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG). Jazmines is a consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) in peace negotiations and is a holder of a JASIG document of identification issued by the NDFP.
"The arrest of Jazmines was carried out treacherously as formal peace negotiations between the NDFP and the Government of the Philippines (GPH) is about to resume in Oslo, Norway," said the CPP. "The CPP and the revolutionary forces demand the immediate release of Jazmines."
"In arresting Jazmines, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) grossly violated the JASIG and has shown utter contempt of the peace negotiations," added the CPP. "It appears that the Aquino government and its negotiating panel has failed to educate the AFP and PNP about the JASIG."
"The CPP expects the NDFP negotiating panel to make a strong point with regard these most recent acts of the AFP and PNP," said the CPP.
"By arresting Jazmines, the AFP and PNP wants to compel the NDFP to withdraw from peace negotiations," said the CPP. "The AFP and PNP are exhibiting duplicity with regard peace negotiatings. They are in favor of peace talks in words, but are against it in action."
The CPP pointed out that Jazmines is the second NDFP consultant arrested in less than two months in violation of standing agreements. Last January 4, the AFP arrested NDFP consultant Tirso "Ka Bart" Alcantara in Quezon province. Alcantara continues to be detained despite promises by the GPH negotiating panel to respect the JASIG and take steps for his release.
* Url:http://theprwcblogs.blogspot.com/2011/02/cpp-condemns-arrest-of-ndfp-consultant.html
