Bishop seeks release of NDFP consultants before talks
BACOLOD CITY—SAN Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza has called for the release of National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) consultants, including Negrense priest turned rebel Francisco “Frank” Fernandez Jr. from detention to spur the resumption of peace talks between the Philippine government and the NDFP.
The 70-year-old Fernandez may be released on humanitarian grounds, Alminaza said on the eve of the International Human Rights Day.
“Father Frank will do much more for peace outside the state’s prisons. His work as a peace consultant can help enliven efforts to unearth, understand and address the root causes of the armed conflict,” the bishop added.
Alminaza said Fernandez might also be released because the latter was protected under the Joint Agreement on Immunity and Security Guarantees, a bilateral agreement to ensure the safety and security of those who participate in the peace talks.
Fernandez, whom the military tagged as the secretary of Komiteng Rehiyonal-negros/ Cebu/bohol/siquijor of the New People’s Army, and his wife Cleofe were arrested by government forces in Nagcarlan town in Laguna on March 24.
The military had earmarked an P8-million reward for the capture of Fernandez.
On Panay Island, about 3,450 protesters, mainly farmers and members of Church groups, joined protest actions in provinces to mark the International Human Rights Day on Tuesday.
About 2,000 protesters led by Movement Against Tyranny and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan in Panay held a program at Sunburst Park in Iloilo before marching along the main streets of the city.
Vivian Asong, chair of the urban poor group Kaisog, decried threats and intimidation against leaders of their organization by suspected military intelligence operatives.
Elmer Forro, secretary general of Bayan-panay, said that even without a formal declaration of martial law in areas outside of Mindanao, political dissenters and government critics were being “intimidated, arrested on trumped-up charges and killed.”
In Roxas City in Capiz, around 1,000 protesters led by Bayan and farmers group Kammaca also held a protest at Roxas City Bandstand.
About 300 joined similar protests in the capital town of Kalibo in Aklan and about 150 in San Jose in Antique.
In Bohol, cause-oriented groups marched from Plaza Rizal to B. Inting Street near Tagbilaran City Square to commemorate the International Human Rights Day past 9 a.m. on Tuesday.