By MARYA SALAMAT
Bulatlat.com
MANILA — The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) Negotiating Panel condemned today what it describes as illegal arrest and detention of NDFP Peace Consultant Rogelio Posadas. The latter was “illegally arrested” by state security forces on January 9. He is reported to be detained at the Philippine National Police jail in Cadiz City in Negros Occidental.
The NDFP demands that the Aquino government respect and comply with its obligation in accordance with the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) signed by both negotiating panels and approved by their respective Principals in 1995.
Mr. Rogelio Posadas is the holder of NDFP Document of Identification Number ND978313 under the assumed name Angel Jose, said Luis G. Jalandoni, chairman of NDFP peace negotiating panel. Posadas has also been issued a corresponding Letter of Acknowledgment signed by GRP Negotiating Panel Chairperson Silvestre H. Bello III. As such, Posadas is covered by the safety and immunity guarantees under the JASIG, Jalandoni emphasized.
The illegal arrest and detention of Mr. Posadas last week has brought to 15 the number of illegally detained NDFP Consultants. This has prompted the NDFP through its chairman, Mr Luis Jalandoni, to ask the Aquino government to respect and comply with its obligations arising from the JASIG, the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL), and other binding bilateral peace agreements.
