Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The Duterte administration has terminated the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG), in effect withdrawing the immunity given to National Democratic Front (NDF) consultants temporarily released for peace negotiations with the government.
In a letter issued Tuesday evening, Presidential Peace Advisor Jesus Dureza informed NDF founder Jose Maria Sison and panel chairperson Fidel Agcaoli of President Rodrigo Duterte's decision to terminate the agreement.
"Following the President's announcement of the cancelation of the peace talks with the CPP/NDF and per his instructions, the Government is hereby serving this notice of termination of the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees," Dureza said in his letter.
The JASIG was signed in 1995. It safeguards its participants from surveillance, arrest, detention, prosecution, or any other similar punitive actions.
During preliminary talks in June last year, the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and NDF agreed to discuss the reconstitution of the JASIG in line with the peace talks between both parties.
Its termination is the latest in a series of events that have signaled the souring of relations between the President and the communists.
While at the start of his administration, Duterte expressed willingness to hold peace talks with the NDF, the President has since backtracked on his support for the communist group.
Prior to the JASIG's termination, the President on Saturday announced the termination of peace talks between the government and the NDF.
Related: Duterte orders arrest of communist rebels' consultants: Immunity, along with peace talks, terminated
NDF soldiers on
NDF Peace Panel Chairperson Fidel Agcaoili on Tuesday confirmed that they'd received the President's notice.
"It is actually an odd notice since it only terminates the JASIG and not the peace negotiations but has the same effect," he said.
However, he said despite the JASIG's termination, the NDF will continue to thrive.
"This is not the first time that an all-out war has been declared against the revolutionary forces. (Then) President Cory Aquino did it in 1987 after the Mendiola massacre. (Former President Joseph) Estrada, too, after signing the VFA. We are used to these threats," he said.
Agcaoili added the NDF will continue their fight with or without the administration.
"The revolutionary movement will persist and continue the struggle for the national and social liberation of the Filipino people to bring about a just and lasting peace in the country," he said.
Meanwhile, NDF senior consultant Luis Jalandoni expressed his concern over the JASIG's dissolution.
He said given the milestones reached by peace talks, there should still be room for reconciliation between the two.
"That is very bad news, and we think that the acclamation and desire of over-all for continuation of peace negotiations. The efforts should continue...especially after the third round of talks in Rome. Where substantial advance were made.. and social and economic reforms," he said.
But should relations between the government and the NDF continue to deteriorate, Jalandoni said the NDF will survive and can defend itself.
"The NPA will surely defend itself and also defend the communities and the programs that have been built in over 70 provinces throughout the country," he said.
30-day notice
The NDF has 30 days upon receipt before the JASIG's termination comes to effect. Upon its termination, its participants will no longer be guaranteed unhindered passage in all areas in the Philippines.
However, in a statement, NDF legal counsel Edre Olalia clarified despite the JASIG's termination, the released political consultants are still out on bail.
He said they cannot be legally arrested as there are no outstanding or unserved warrants against them and there are no orders cancelling their bail.
Lookout bulletin issued
The JASIG's termination has prompted tighter surveillance of the NDF consultants.
On Tuesday, the Department of Justice issued a lookout bulletin order for 20 NDF consultants.
The lookout order instructs the Bureau of Immigration to monitor the whereabouts of people included on the list.
While it does not bar individuals from leaving the country, it requires immigration officials to alert authorities if they pass through immigration counters and seaports.
The consultants included in the bulletin are:
Tirso Lagoras Alcantara
Ma. Concepcion Araneta Bocala
Pedro Heyrona Codaste
Renante Macatangay Gamara
Alan Valera Jazmines
Ernesto Epino Lorenzo
Ma. Loida Tuzo Magpatoc
Alfredo Amparo Mapano
Ruben Abenir Saluta
Adelberto Albayulde Silva
Benito Enriquez Tiamzon
Wilma Austria Tiamzon
Ariel Mancao Arbitrario
Renato Maranga Baleros, Sr.
Kennedy Lao-ing Bangibang
Jaime Servillano Doria Soledad
Rafael Baylosis
Alex Birondo
Winona Birondo
Porferio Dianco Tuna
TIMELINE: Peace talks between the government and communist rebels
CNN Philippines digital producer Eimor P. Santos contributed to this report
http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2017/02/08/JASIG-termination-peace-talks.html
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