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Manila newspapers headlined yesterday the arrest of
Mr. Jose Ma. Sison, political consultant of the National Democratic
Front, in the peace talks with government. He is more known as the
founding chairman of the Communist Party of the Philippines which is
engaged in armed struggle with the government.
He was reportedly arrested in the
city of Utrecht in The Netherlands which also hosts the foreign
chapter of the NDF rebel coalition.
It is a significant development
in the history of the insurgency, almost similar to the time Mr.
Sison was arrested sometime in 1977 in the Philippines while he was
in the underground. After his release in 1986 by the Cory
government, he went on exile in The Netherlands.
The report said that Mr. Sison
would be tried in Dutch courts on the ground that he violated Dutch
laws. One of that crime is he reportedly ordered the killing of some
people in the Philippines while staying in The Netherlands.
The previous arrangement in Mr.
Sison’s exile was that he could stay as a political refugee in The
Netherlands provided he did not violate local laws. The legal
question now is whether the state prosecutors of The Netherlands
could prove that Sison indeed ordered the killing while staying in
the European country.
That would be matter of a
presentation of evidence. Remember that the Dutch courts and
government are under pressure to show fairness in their trials
because many elements in the Dutch Parliament are human
rights-oriented. Public opinion also won’t allow unfair trial for
political refugees or their eventual extradition to their native
countries, even for a suspected communist like Sison.
From 1986, Joma could stay in The
Netherlands since he was supported by many members of the Dutch
Parliament who thought that no political refugee should be expelled
if he is in danger of being persecuted at home. Even before his
arrest, Joma could travel to the Benelux countries: Belgium,
Netherlands and Luxembourg.
For the Philippine audience, the
more important question on the Joma arrest is its implication on the
peace process. Would this development lead to resumption of peace
negotiations between the government and the communist rebels? Or
will this lead to more violence in the insurgent areas?
The peace talks that started in
1992 have been canceled several times because of the many
contentious issues that cropped up during the talks. After the
initial agreement on human rights, the other three topics held vital
to a final peace accord had been put on the backburner. One obstacle
is the disagreement on truce, a foolish attitude since ceasefire is
supposed to benefit both sides.
Just a recollection: The arrest
and incarceration of Joma during the Marcos years did not check the
insurgency. As a matter of fact, it even increased the number of
rebels and their arms to the point of threatening the government in
1986. At that time, the rebels were already proclaiming the entry of
strategic offensive, which means readiness to enter Manila. What we
are saying is that the arrest of a leader did not mean the end of
the insurgency.
The Philippine government should
take advantage of the situation by proposing a resumption of peace
talks with the NDF, with no conditions. And in that effort, The
Netherlands and members of the European Union would fully support
the peace initiative.
Remembering del Pilar
We remember today, August 30,
Marcelo H. del Pilar, the chief propagandist of the Philippine
Revolution. Like Rizal and Bonifacio, we honor his memory because of
his role in building our race and nation.
Samahang Plaridel will honor this
Bulakeño with flowers at his tomb in the Children’s Park (in
front of Manila Zoo). Journalists and city officials will be there
to pay tribute to the man who set the standards of Filipino
journalism.
BRIEF NOTES. General Avelino
“Sonny” Razon will be our guest at the Kapihan sa Sulo on
Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at the Sulo Hotel in Quezon City . . . Puerto
Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn is angry at the proliferation of
mining claims in his city. Local government cannot sit idly while
the environment is being destroyed by profit-oriented firms. . . .
The same is happening in Sibuyan Island in Romblon. Heard that some
mining firms are out to destroy the beautiful Mt. Guiting-Guiting
just to mine iron ore and nickel in San Fernando. . . . Good that
Congressman Carlos Padilla has filed charges against the ZTE and the
DOTC for the national broadband contract.
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