NDFP hopes gov’t will do everything to release detained consultants for Oslo talks

From GMA News (Aug 5): NDFP hopes gov’t will do everything to release detained consultants for Oslo talks

The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), the political arm of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), is still hoping that the Duterte administration will make good on its promise to give their detained consultants safe conduct passes ahead of the scheduled Aug. 20 peace talks in Oslo, Norway.

“We still hope the releases will be expedited despite the delays and that the process be made simpler. We remain optimistic that the GRP [government of the Republic of the Philippines] and all its agencies and concerned officials will do everything to comply in good faith with its commitments to release the detained NDFP peace consultants so that they can timely participate in the formal peace negotiations starting August 20 in Oslo,” said NDFP panel convernor and legal consultant Edre Olalia.

“We trust that the trial courts handling the cases of these consultants will keenly take into account the sense of the Court as a barometer in considering motions for their release based on their urgency and import in the higher interests of peace and unity,” he added.

The Supreme Court (SC) on Friday denied the temporary and conditional 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.

The high court said that motions and pleadings for the 10 should be filed for the consideration of trial courts.

The SC has only granted release of Randall Echanis and Vicente Ladlad, with a P100,000 cash bond for their provisional liberty.

Despite the 'setback,' Olalia said they still welcome SC’s resolution and hope the administration will work harder to ensure that the peace consultants will be able to join the peace talks. 

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/576489/news/nation/ndfp-hopes-gov-t-will-do-everything-to-release-detained-consultants-for-oslo-talks