NPA claims to arrest, judge ex-President Aquino, other officials illegal -- AFP

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 4): NPA claims to arrest, judge ex-President Aquino, other officials illegal -- AFP

Attempts of the New People's Army (NPA) to arrest and judge former President Benigno Aquino III and other officials are illegal and will not be tolerated.

This was stressed by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla in a briefing Monday where he said that only recognized courts of the country are given such powers.

"(Only) courts that are recognized by the Republic of the Philippines and under the Republic of the Philippines that can rightfully render judgement on anyone brought to its sala," he added.

"And the charges that they have brought to the former president and his other officials are baseless, they are illegal and not honored," the AFP spokesperson further revealed.

In the same vein, Padilla said the military only recognizes judgment that comes from recognized courts and will work together with other agencies to provide protection for Aquino and officials who were accused by the NPAs of allegedly ordering the violent dispersal of protesting farmers in Kidapawan, North Cotabato which left two dead and more than a dozen protesters wounded.

Aside from Aquino, the rebels also tagged North Cotabato Governor Emmylou Talino-Mendoza, Kidapawan City Mayor Joseph Evangelista, North Cotabato Rep. Nancy Catamco.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=977252