OSG to file manifestation on cases of NDF consultants

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 8): OSG to file manifestation on cases of NDF consultants

The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) will file a manifestation and motion with the Supreme Court and the Regional Trial Courts (RTC) where the cases of the consultants of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDF) who participated in the peace talks between the government and the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) are pending for the issuance of recommitment orders.

Solicitor General Jose C. Calida pointed out that the Supreme Court Resolution dated Aug. 2, 2016 imposed conditions for the provisional liberty of the NDF Consultants which were adopted by the concerned RTCs.

He said one of the conditions is that once their participation ceases or the peace negotiations are terminated, their respective bonds shall be deemed automatically canceled.

"Supreme Court decisions form part of the law of the land. Hence, the Resolution dated August 2, 2016 supersedes the defunct 1995 JASIG agreement between the parties which has become moot and academic," Calida said in a statement.

"Since President Rodrigo Duterte has already canceled the peace negotiations, the NDF consultants' provisional liberty automatically ceased hence, they can now be arrested and recommitted to their respective detention facilities," he added.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Department of Justice (DOJ) ordered the issuance of an immigration lookout bulletin order (ILBO) against the 20 NDF consultants.

This comes after the termination of the Joint Agreement on Security and Immunity Guarantee (JASIG) between the government and the communist rebels.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II issued the three-page memorandum order to Immigration Chief Jaime Morente, Prosecutor General Victor Sepulveda after a Cabinet meeting in Malacanang.

He instructed both Morente and Sepulveda to coordinate with National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Dante Gierran for the information about the people subject of the ILBO. These information include known aliases, date and place of birth, copy of passport and latest photo.

Aguirre also required contact numbers from the NBI and the Office of the Prosecutor that can be called even beyond office hours in case the NDFP consultants included in the ILBO attempt to leave the country.

"Take all other appropriate actions including, but not limited to, coordinating with other concerned offices and agencies and even airlines, especially since international passengers are customarily required to check-in within a specified number of hours before the flight," Aguirre said in his memorandum.

The individuals named in the list were following:

1. Tirso Lagoras Alcantara

2. Ma. Concepcion Araneta Bocala

3. Pedro Heyrona Codaste

4. Renante Macatangay Gamara

5. Alan Valera Jazmines

6. Ernesto Epino Lorenzo

7. Ma. Loida Tuzo Magpatoc

8. Alfredo Amparo Mapano

9. Ruben Abenir Saluta

10. Adelberto Albayulde Silva

11. Benito Enriquez Tiamzon

12. Wilma Austria Tiamzon

13. Ariel Mancao Arbitrario

14. Renato Maranga Baleros Sr.

15. Kennedy Lao-ing Bangibang

16. Jaime Servillano Doria Soledad

17. Rafael Baylosis

18. Alex Birondo

19. Winona Birondo

20. Porferio Dianco Tuna

A person subject of an ILBO can still leave the country upon clearance from the DOJ.

Aguirre warned that anyone who attempts to violate the ILBO will be held liable.

He ordered the government prosecuting arm to immediately file a case in court and obtain an arrest warrant "if it should be found that there is probable cause to criminally charge the respondents."

Aguirre said on Monday the consultants of the NDF should go back to the country and return to detention.

“Once they turn themselves in or arrested, they will be returned to their detention,” Aguirre said when sought for comment on the issue adding that security forces can arrest them.

President Duterte declared the suspension of peace talks between the government and communist rebels where he ordered government negotiators to come home.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=962141