Razon says NDF asks new demands to free 10 more rebels just before Norway talks
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MANILA, Sept. 5 – The government has already released two communist leaders from detention, but the
National Democratic Front (NDF) has made new demand, asking for the immediate release of 10 more
captured rebels a few days before the scheduled resumption of formal peace talks in Oslo, Norway last Aug.
28.
“We were taken aback by this sudden NDF announcement after the Philippine government has
accommodated the NDF request to release two ranking communist leders, Randall Echanis and Elizabeth
Principe from detention, and now they are demanding for the freeing of 10 more of their comrades under
detention,” Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Avelino I. Razon Jr. said today.
“This is the latest pre-condition demanded by the NDF just before the stalled peace talks were to begin in
Oslo, Norway on Aug. 28,” Razon said.
The release of Echanis and Principe was ordered by the court, he said, adding “we cannot just release the
others without proper court order. We have to follow our judicial system,” Razon added.
At the same time, Razon was also surprised by the NDF allegation that the GRP is setting aside discussion
on socio-economic reform (SER).
In fact, the GRP is prepared top discuss this matter by forming a reciprocal working committee which has
been conducting regular meeting to prepare for the SER negotiations, he said..
Razon also asked the NDF to discuss end of hostilities as a goal of any peace process.
The NDF refusal not to discuss this is a signal that they are not serious in pursuing the peace negotiations, he
stressed.
The NDF has tapped 14 personalities, including two ranking communist leaders – Rafael Baylosis and
Vicente Ladlad, who are at large, as their consultants during the peace talks.
The NDF's unreasonable demand to release them before formal talks can resume is a blatant abuse of the
peace table to get concession they cannot get anywhere else, Razon said.
Razon emphasized that the GRP cannot undermine its own justice system, nor allow the use of the peace
table for quick fixes.
He said Baylosis and Ladlad have refused to come out from the open despite the lifting of the Joint Agreement
on Security and Immunity Guarantee (JASIG) last July 17.
Razon assured that the government will honor and respect the JASIG., saying “we are sincere to end the
armed conflict.”
Razon said that the 14 NDF consultants have pending criminal charges against them, ranging from multiple
murders to kidnapping and robbery in band in various Philippine courts.
He said the government peace panel headed by former Labor Secretary Nieves Confesor “cannot just decide
on its own to release these people, because only the courts can make such an order after due process.”
“Let the courts decide on the merits of each case. We cannot circumvent the law,” he stressed.
The following is the list of 14 NDF consultants and the corresponding charges they are facing whom the NDF
is demanding to be released by the GRP. Of the 14, charges against Elizabeth Principe had been dismissed
by the courts. Principe was released from detention on July 21, 2009.
1. Randall Echanis Multiple Murder Case (GR# 185587, SC)
Note: He was released on 14 August 2009
from the PNP Custodial Center –
by virtue of a Supreme Court
Resolution issued on 13 August
granting him provisional release
for six months)
2. Rafael Baylosis Multiple Murder Case (CC# 08-262163,
RTC, Branch 32, Manila)
Note: At large (with standing warrant
of arrest)
3. Vicente Ladlad Multiple Murder Case (CC# 08-262163,
RTC Branch 32, Manila)
Note: At large (with standing warrant
of arrest)
4. Elizabeth Principe a. Rebellion (CC# 90-1350)
b. Robbery with Murder (CC#387)
c. Robbery with Murder and Robbery with Arson (CC# 1956)
d. Robbery with Arson (CC#1957)
Note: All charges against her were dismissed by various courts. Principe was released from the Philippine
National Police (PNP CustodialCenter on 21 July 2009.
5. Iglecerio Pernia a. Murder (CC#4672)
b. Robbery in Band (CC#2665)
c. Multiple Frustrated Murder (CC#6729)
d. Highway Robbery/Brigandage (CC#6739)
e. Rebellion (CC#4166)
f. Multiple Murder (CC#4849)
g. Robbery (CC#4858)
h. Rebellion (CC#10998)
Detained at Albay Provincial Jail.
6. Anglina Besonia/Angelina a. Rebellion filed at Dipolog City
b. Arson, Frustrated Murder, Multiple Murder (CC#420-422)
Detained at Lenienza Reformatory Center in Pagadian City, Zamboanga Del Sur
7. Emeterio Antalan a. Murder, Kidnapping and Illegal Possession of Firearms
(CC#141- 05-C, SJC-28, 29 (94), SJC-145 (94)
Detained at Nueva Ecija Provincial Jail
8. Eduardo Sarmiento a. Illegal Possession of Firearms (CC#09-147)
b. Violation of Article 178, Using Fictitious Name (CC#49534)
c. Arson (CC#5124)
Detained at the PNP Custodial Center, Camp Crame
9. Eduardo Serrano a. Multiple Murder (CC#Q147557)
b. Multiple Murder and Multiple Frustrated Murder (CC#Q147464)
c. Multiple Murder, Multiple Frustrated Murder, Robbery
(CC#Q-147595-98)
d. CC#Q-07-147594 filed at RTC Branch 97, Quezon City
Detained at the PNP Custodial Center, Camp Crame
10. Randy Felix Malayao Murder (two counts) and Frustrated
Murder (CC#9090, 9001 and 9092)
Detained at BJMP in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan
11. Jaime Soledad a. Multiple Murder (CC#H-A581)
b. Murder and Frustrated Murder (CC#1696)
Detained at Leyte Provincial Jail, Palo, Leyte
12. Edgardo Friginal Murder, Kidnapping and Illegal
Possession of Firearms (CC#141-05-C, SJC-28,29 (94), SJC-145 (94)
Detained at Nueva Ecija Provincial Jail
13. Alfredo Mapano Double murder with frustrated murder (RTC 10, Agusan del Sur);
Murder (MTC, Agusan del Sur); Robbery with Double Homicide and
Damage to Properties (RTC 10, Agusan del Sur); Robbery with
Homicide (RTC, Misamis Oriental); and Robbery (RTC,Malaybalay
City).
Detained at Maharlika Detention Cell at Cagayan de Oro City Police Office
14. Jovencio Balweg Murder and Frustrated Murder
Detained at the Cordillera Police Office
“The GRP peace panel has no authority whatsoever to order their release without the permission from the
courts,” Razon said.
He said that “each respondent will be given his day in court.”
At the same time, Razon said the GRP panel is ready to resume the talks which have been stalled since 2005
after the United States and the European Union (EU) tagged the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of
the NDF and the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), as a terrorist organization.
He called anew the NDF to re-open the peace talks to resolve the 40-year insurgency war peacefully.
“We have seen enough bloodshed from both sides, not to include the civilians, who are sometimes caught in
the crossfire,” Razon said, referring to his experience during his 34 years when he was in the active military
and police service.
Razon retired last year as director-general of the Philippine National Police (PNP) with the rank of four-star
general.
Despite some problem that has cropped up lately, Razon expressed optimism that peace negotiations with
the CPP/NPA/NDF and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) would push through.
“The government is sincere in ending the internal armed conflict as soon as possible,” he stressed.
“The best way to resolve this is through peaceful negotiations. Let’s give peace a chance now, not later,”
Razon concluded.
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