Karapatan calls Noynoy Aquino to resume peace talks, release detained NDFP consultants

By KARAPATAN
September 2, 2013

QUEZON CITY – Karapatan today joined the “Caravan for Peace” as it slammed the arrest of peace consultant, Loida Tuzo Magpatoc, 54, and called for the release of all JASIG-protected peace consultants of National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).

The “Caravan for Peace” is a joint initiative of the Citizens Alliance for Just Peace (CALL for JUST PEACE) composed of peace advocates from Sulong CARHRIHL, Pilgrims for Peace, Philippine Economic Peace Platforms (PEPP) and Waging Peace Philippines. In July, the same organizations issued a joint statement calling for the resumption of the peace talks between the GPH and the NDFP on the basis of previously signed agreements, especially the Hague Joint Declaration signed on September 1, 1992 and the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) signed in 1995.

The Hague Joint Declaration served as the framework of the GPH-NDFP peace talks since 1992 but has been called by the Aquino government as a “document of perpetual division”; while due observance of the JASIG has been put to question as the GPH continues to arrest JASIG-protected NDFP consultants to the peace process.

“The JASIG is again violated with the arrest of Loida Magpatoc who was arrested on July 28 in Digos City, Davao del Sur. The arrest shows the Aquino government blatant disregard to the agreements the GPH had signed with the NDFP,” said Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay.

Magpatoc is a holder of NDFP Document of Identification No. ND978254 using the assumed name Puri Feleo. Magpatoc’s arrest brings to 13 the total number of JASIG-protected peace consultants in detention.

Palabay added, "it is clear that the Aquino administration already killed the peace talks between his government and the NDFP as it continues to violate previously signed agreements and by the continued surveillance, harassment and, arrest of NDFP peace consultants and staff on trumped up criminal charges."

Magpatoc, in the course of undertaking her work on the Social and Economic Reform agenda of the peace talks, was arrested for charges of robbery with double homicide and damage to properties. She was detained at the Digos City PNP Station for six days with continuous tactical interrogations by Dept. Of National Defence - National, 10th Infantry Division Task Force Tugis, and CIDG Reg. 11.On August 21, she was transferred at the Camp Bagong Diwa (female dorm) where she is facing nine cases, all false criminal charges.

Meanwhile, NDFP Panel Member Fidel V. Agcaoili sent a protest letter to the GPH Negotiating Panel on the surveillance and harassment against him by the two motorcycle-riding men on 29 July 2013. Agcaoili was in Manila for consultations and meetings with several groups on the possibility of the resumption of the peace negotiations.

Palabay also cited the inaction of the GPH on the enforced disappearance of 10 NDFP peace consultants and staff during the Arroyo government.