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[av_heading heading=’DOJ presses arrest of NDFP consultants ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – The Department of Justice (DOJ) has asked the courts to order the rearrest of National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) consultants who were allowed to post bail last year.
The release of over 30 consultants last year was part of efforts to restart the peace negotiations with communist rebels.
Last month, however, President Rodrigo Duterte cancelled the peace talks, citing the continuing offensives of the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels.
In a motion filed before the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 32 yesterday, the DOJ asked for the cancellation of the bail bonds of the NDFP consultants who were facing criminal cases.
“In view of the cancellation of the peace talks, there is no more legal ground for the continuous provisional liberty of the accused,” the DOJ said. “Thus, the immediate recommitment and cancellation of bail of all the accused should logically follow.”
On Wednesday, the President said he would order the “mass arrest” of the NDFP consultants.
“Wala akong magawa eh. Ginusto ninyo (you wanted it), I’m addressing them through the TV, ginusto ninyo eh,” Duterte said in a speech during the oath-taking of newly-appointed generals and flag officers in Malacañang.
Among the NDFP consultants allowed to temporarily post bail were Communist Party of the Philippines’ (CPP) leaders Benito and Wilma Tiamzon.
The Tiamzons and Adelberto Silva were facing a murder case at the Manila RTC Branch 32; it stemmed from the discovery of a mass grave in Leyte containing suspected victims of the communist rebels’ purge in the 1980s.
“I gave too much, too soon. I know ‘yung police, military medyo may sentimyento sa akin. You know, I released almost about 32, just… ‘yung Tiamzon na spouses,” said Duterte.
President Duterte signed Proclamation 360 terminating the peace talks. He also declared the CPP and NPA as terrorist organizations.
“So they are now considered ordinary criminals. And so if they ambush you, that’s murder, multiple. If they use an explosive, use of explosive is always a murder, then it’s no bail for everybody,” he said.
President Duterte told military officials to expect a longer war of attrition with the rebels.
“But kung matapos natin (if it’s finish) during my term, I will be happy. But I am not talking to them anymore,” he said./PN
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