Gov't seeks rearrest of leftist leaders
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Gov't seeks rearrest of leftist leaders
Christian V. Esguerra,
ABS-CBN News
Published Feb 15, 2017 02:54 PM PHT
MANILA - The government has asked the courts to order the rearrest of top communist leaders who sat as consultants in the scuttled peace talks, a move their lawyers described as "premature and hasty."
MANILA - The government has asked the courts to order the rearrest of top communist leaders who sat as consultants in the scuttled peace talks, a move their lawyers described as "premature and hasty."
Benito Tiamzon and his wife Wilma should go back to jail since they were temporarily released only to join the negotiations, which were now terminated, Solicitor General Jose Calida told a Quezon City court.
Benito Tiamzon and his wife Wilma should go back to jail since they were temporarily released only to join the negotiations, which were now terminated, Solicitor General Jose Calida told a Quezon City court.
Similar motions were filed against several other National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) consultants in other courts, said Rachel Pastores of the Public Interest Law Center.
Similar motions were filed against several other National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) consultants in other courts, said Rachel Pastores of the Public Interest Law Center.
Pastores asked the court to "defer" judgment because "there is a bright prospect that the peace negotiations will resume."
Pastores asked the court to "defer" judgment because "there is a bright prospect that the peace negotiations will resume."
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"It is premature to say that the die has been cast insofar as going back to the negotiating table is concerned," she said in a Feb. 14 manifestation.
"It is premature to say that the die has been cast insofar as going back to the negotiating table is concerned," she said in a Feb. 14 manifestation.
The court should also give "due weight and take into full account the ongoing efforts of various groups and personalities" to peace negotiations, Pastores said.
The court should also give "due weight and take into full account the ongoing efforts of various groups and personalities" to peace negotiations, Pastores said.
TEDIOUS
The Tiamzons are facing separate charges of kidnapping, multiple murder, and illegal possession of firearms and explosives in different courts.
The Tiamzons are facing separate charges of kidnapping, multiple murder, and illegal possession of firearms and explosives in different courts.
They were among 19 rebels granted temporary liberty to participate as consultants in the last three round of formal talks.
They were among 19 rebels granted temporary liberty to participate as consultants in the last three round of formal talks.
President Rodrigo Duterte could still "change his mind for the better" and ask government negotiators to proceed with the talks, said Edre Olalia, legal consultant of the NDFP.
President Rodrigo Duterte could still "change his mind for the better" and ask government negotiators to proceed with the talks, said Edre Olalia, legal consultant of the NDFP.
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Olalia said arresting the consultants now would mean having to go through the same "tedious and complicated" legal procedure in case negotiations resumed.
Olalia said arresting the consultants now would mean having to go through the same "tedious and complicated" legal procedure in case negotiations resumed.
"The worst that could happen is for the consultants who helped craft agreements (in the last three rounds of talks) to go back to jail," Pastores told a press conference Wednesday.
"The worst that could happen is for the consultants who helped craft agreements (in the last three rounds of talks) to go back to jail," Pastores told a press conference Wednesday.
"If that happens, who else would be willing to talk with the government?"
"If that happens, who else would be willing to talk with the government?"
NDFP political consultant Rey Casambre said there was still a "deep reservoir of trust" between Duterte and the rebels.
NDFP political consultant Rey Casambre said there was still a "deep reservoir of trust" between Duterte and the rebels.
Casambre recalled how Duterte scheduled informal negotiations in Oslo, Norway two weeks before he took office in June 2016.
Casambre recalled how Duterte scheduled informal negotiations in Oslo, Norway two weeks before he took office in June 2016.
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