NDFP Demands Release of Peace Panel Consultant Magpatoc

22 August 2013

The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) Negotiating Panel strongly condemns the illegal arrest and detention of NDFP Consultant Ma. Loida Tuzo Magpatoc by the Aquino regime. She is a holder of NDFP Document of Identification No. ND978254 using the assumed name Puri Feleo.

Her arrest on 28 July 2013 and continuing detention at the regime’s Camp Bagong Diwa (female dorm) is a gross violation of the GRP-NDFP Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees.

As the attached Letter of Acknowledgment signed by then GRP Negotiating Panel Chairman, Silvestre H. Bello III, stipulates, she is an NDFP Consultant for Mindanao (VII) and “is entitled to the safety and immunity guarantees as provided under the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) for the duration of the peace negotiations.”

“You are hereby required to facilitate the safe conduct and free passage of the above named person.

Thank you for your courtesy and assistance.”

The NDFP Negotiating Panel demands that the Aquino government respect and comply with the JASIG and release Ma. Loida Tuzo Magpatoc and 12 other JASIG-protected NDFP personnel.

We likewise demand the release of all the 430 political prisoners in compliance with the GRP-NDFP Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL). A government that does not respect agreements and contracts it has entered into does not deserve trust and respect.

Herein listed are the other 12 JASIG-protected NDFP personnel who remain in detention:

Alan Jazmines           Leopoldo Caloza    Emeterio Antalan   Eduardo Serrano

Tirso Alcantara         Ramon Patriarca    Edgardo Friginal     Jaime Soledad

Eduardo Sarmiento   Alfredo Mapano      Pedro Codaste       Renante Gamara

On behalf of the NDFP Negotiating Panel: