Political detainee, Ariel Arbitrario (left) says they are hopeful that the peace negotiations between the government and the NDF will be successful. Beside him is Eduardo Genelsa, also a political prisoner. They will attend the peace talks in Oslo, Norway on Monday, August 22. (Zea Io Ming C. Capistrano/davaotoday.com)
DAVAO CITY —- Two of the three detained peace consultants of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines in Davao Region will be flying to Oslo, Norway to join the formal peace talks between the NDF and the government.
In a press conference, legal counsel Atty. Manuel Quibod said Ariel Arbitrario and Eduardo Genelsa were released as part of the confidence building of the government for the resumption of the peace negotiations.
In a court order to grant the release on bail of the political prisoners signed by Judge Cresenciana DC. Cruz, the Regional Trial Court Branch 3 in Nabunturan, Compostela Valley province on Wednesday, August 17 allowed the provisional liberty of Arbitrario and Genelsa under a P100,000 bail.
It said “the release of the accused shall only be for the purpose of his attendance and participation in the formal peace negotiations in Oslo, Norway commencing on August 20, 2016.”
The court order also said that the temporary release “shall not exceed six months, but may be shortened by the earlier conclusion or termination of the formal peace negotiations.”
The P100,000 bond also covers all the other pending cases that the accused might have in other Courts since the order is based on the Government’s agreement with the CPP-NDF-NPA to enable them to participate in the peace talks.
The other political prisoner, Porferio Tuna, was also expected to be released on Thursday. However, the Union of People’s Lawyers of Mindanao said that Tuna has two rebellion cases retrieved by the court that delayed his release.
Positive developments
Arbitrario said they welcome the “positive developments” of the peace talks and hope that both panels will come up with substantial agreements.
“We don’t expect to have it immediately by next week, but we will work for six months to reach an agreement,” he said.
In an interview, Arbitrario told Davao Today that President Rodrigo Duterte’s previous word war with the revolutionary movement is “normal”.
He said that both the government and Communist movement “agree to disagree” on some issues.
Duterte previously said that the CPP “cannot even occupy a barangay” and that progressive leaders needed to get his endorsements and join his political party to win during the previous elections.
But Arbitrario said this has been their experience with Duterte even before he was elected as President.
“Naa man gyud siyay mga panahon nga naga-atake sya sa revolutionary movement, bisan sa mga progressive nagahatag siyag negative comments. Normal man na pero siyempre dili nato hayaan nga dili tubagon, ato pud nang ginatubag ug ato pud ginapatin-aw ang iyahang mga accusations (There were times when he would attack the revolutionary movement, and even gave negative comments about the progressive groups of the legal democratic movement. That’s normal, but of course we don’t let it pass without answering it and we answer his accusations),” he said.
He said what is important is that the revolutionary movement and the President unite in substantial issues, particularly in pursuing the peace talks.
“Karon kay naa man siya’y positive nga position kalambigit sa peace talks kato ang atong gigunitan (Now that he has a positive position regarding peace talks, we hold on to that),” he said.
Work on peace
United Church of Christ of the Philippines Bishop Hamuel Tequis, convener of the Exodus for Justice and Peace said the release of political detainees is a welcome step towards achieving a successful peace negotiations.
He said this gives hope to peace advocates that the peace negotiations will come up with substantial agreement for the Filipino people who have been longing for justice and life with dignity.
He said the peace process should be “a project of the Filipino people” that everybody should work on.
Political prisoners
Genelsa said they also hope that the government will release all political detainees and not just the NDFP consultants.
Karapatan Alliance for Human Rights said that there are 524 political prisoners “who need to be released based on just and humanitarian grounds.”
Arbitrario and Genelsa were among the 22 detained peace consultants that are requested to join the peace talks.
Both political prisoners face criminal charges in the RTC Branch 3.
Arbitrario was arrested in Barangay Madaum, Tagum City by joint forces of the Crime Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), police operatives from Tagum and Compostela Valley Provincial Police office, and the military on February 16.
The Army alleges Arbitrario as the front secretary of Guerrilla Front 2 of the NPA’s Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC).
Meanwhile, Genelsa was arrested on June 29 in Pantukan, Compostela Valley Province. The Army claimed Genelsa is the Philippines 19th most wanted person.
The Army said Genelsa is the commanding officer of the NPA’s Pulang Bagani Company 3 of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee. (davaotoday.com)
