ARREST OF CPP-NPA LEADERS LEGAL – DE LIMA

The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday reiterated that the arrests of Benito and Wilma Tiamzon are legal and valid.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said the two leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) were captured based on two standing warrants of arrest. The Tiamzons cannot invoke immunity from arrest under the Joint Agreement on Security and Immunity Guarantees (Jasig) because the peace negotiations with communist rebels have been suspended, she said.