From GMA News (Nov 8): NDFP peace consultant Vic Ladlad arrested
A National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) peace consultant was arrested early Thursday morning, the spokesperson for the Philippine National Police said.
In a text message, Senior Superintendent Benigno Durana confirmed to GMA News Online the arrest of activist Vic Ladlad. Ladlad will be presented at the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) headquarters this morning.
Citing reports, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) secretary general Renato Reyes said Ladlad was accused of illegal possession of firearms and explosives, adding that two senior citizens with medical conditions were with the NDFP consultant when he was nabbed in Barangay San Bartolome, Novaliches in Quezon City.
"What would the three of them be doing with firearms and explosives? The evidence are obviously planted and are only meant to justify his indefinite detention," he said.
Reyes denounced Ladlad's arrest, saying that it was again an attack against the suspended peace negotiations between the government and communist groups.
"This is again an attack on the peace talks, dimming any hope for its resumption. The recent arrests of peace consultants such as Ladlad, Rafael Baylosis and Adel Silva tells us that the Duterte government is more interested in a military solution rather than a political solution to the roots of the armed conflict," Reyes said in a statement.
"Serious peace negotiations and existing agreements are being set aside in favor of political persecution and fascist measures," Reyes added.
For its part, human rights group Karapatan said Ladlad's arrest highlights the "climate of impunity" in the country.
"Kami po ay nangangamba na dahil dito sa palalang sitwasyon, with the recent arrest of NDFP consultant Vic Ladlad, nagpapatunay lamang ito na nagpapatuloy ang klima ng impunity sa ating bansa,” said Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV.
"Yung pagkaka-aresto po ni Ladlad ay tinuturing po naming paglabag sa Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees," she added.
Under JASIG, NDFP consultants are afforded immunity from "surveillance, harassment, search, arrest, detention, prosecution and interrogation or any other similar punitive actions" due to their involvement in the peace talks.
Palubay said the agreement is still in effect until it is revoked by both the government and the NDFP.
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/673987/ndfp-peace-consultant-vic-ladlad-nabbed/story/
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