Government remains committed to release of political prisoners

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 28): Government remains committed to release of political prisoners

A member of the government peace panel negotiating with the National Democratic Front (NDF) is positive there will be a release of substantial number of political prisoners based on humanitarian grounds particularly the women, sickly and senior citizens in the coming days.

This was revealed Monday by panel member Angela Librado, who said that their release is part of the commitment of President Rodrigo Duterte to free detained members of the NDF.

This is also in accordance with the signed agreements between the GRP and NDF panels in Oslo, Norway during the resumption of formal talks last August.

While she was positive on the release in December, Librado said there are legal and judicial issues that need to be addressed.

“We are looking to release substantial number,” Librado said.

She declined to give the exact figure recommended for release on humanitarian grounds.

It is noted that there are 434 personalities in the list of detainees as submitted by the NDF panel to the government.
  
Forty five (45) of those recommended for release are women.

The planned release is part of continuing efforts to expedite and accelerate the peace negotiations and processes that are also brokered by the Royal Norwegian Government.

Librado pointed out that the recommendation for the release of detainees on humanitarian is not tied to the bilateral ceasefire.

She said they have already completed the guidelines for the release of detainees and have submitted a list of those who will be included in the second batch on humanitarian grounds.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier ordered the release of 22 high ranking NDF leaders to allow them to participate in the peace negotiations.

“We hope that the release could be had. We understand that the release is an issue of urgency but there things to make to ensure that this will not be subject to any legal and judicial question,” she added.

Librado assured they are working their best to meet what has been agreed in Oslo.

"Probably it will not be the best but at this point in time we are exerting all our efforts that the release will happen,” she stressed.

Librado also clarified that there are two different modes of releases of political prisoners. One is based on humanitarian grounds while the other is through amnesty which needs the concurrence of Congress after the President signs the proclamation.

It may be recalled that the draft proclamation was earlier submitted by the panel for the signature of President Rodrigo Duterte.

The draft proclamation also included NDF consultants already released on bail and now participating in the peace negotiations.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=944033