CPP scores administration for disregarding agreements in peace talks

From the Daily Tribune (Feb 20): CPP scores administration for disregarding agreements in peace talks

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) yesterday scored the Aquino administration for its utter disregard to agreements under the peace negotiations with the arrest of two more consultants of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).

The CPP, in a statement, demanded the immediate release of George Geluz and Silvestre Layones, both members of the NDFP Bicol Region.

Geluz was nabbed in Gumaca, Quezon last Feb. 8, while Layones was captured the following day in Naga City.

“The CPP demands the immediate release of Geluz and Layones. All trumped-up criminal charges filed against Geluz must be immediately withdrawn. Layones, meanwhile, has yet to be informed of the criminal charges against him,” the CPP said.

The CPP said that the arrests of Geluz and Layones were in violation of the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantee (Jasig) signed in 1995 by the government and the NDFP as part of the peace negotiations.

As peace consultants, the CPP said that Geluz and Layones are covered by Jasig.

However, the military tagged the two as ranking leaders of the communist armed wing, the New People’s Army.

“The Aquino regime has repeatedly violated the Jasig in arresting NDFP consultants and refusing to release them in accordance with the agreement,” said the CPP.

“By prolonging the detention of NDFP peace consultants, refusing to recognize their rights under Jasig and charging them with common crimes in order to conceal the political nature of their arrests, Aquino has effectively hostaged the peace negotiations in the vain hope of compelling the NDFP to surrender to the reactionary regime,” it added.

With the arrest of the duo, the CPP said that 12 peace consultants are now under government detention.      

http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/cpp-scores-administration-for-disregarding-agreements-in-peace-talks