Jalandoni statement confirms ‘Morong 43’ link to NPA – military

The call of National Democratic Front (NDF) chief negotiator Luis Jalandoni for the release of the 43 detained health workers proved that the so-called Morong 43 are indeed communist rebels, the military said on Sunday. “It’s an indication that the 43 are not health workers...He (Jalandoni) is confirming that," said Army spokesman Col. Antonio Parlade. Jalandoni is in Manila with his wife Ma. Consuelo Ledesma for a two-week private visit, raising hopes that the long stalled peace negotiations between the Philippine government and the communist-led NDF is heading for resumption. Parlade said Jalandoni’s pronouncement vindicated the military, which, together with the police, insists that the 43 health workers were members and supporters of the New People’s Army (NPA). The 43 were arrested in February this year in Morong, Rizal, while allegedly on a bomb-making seminar. They are facing charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives. Upon arrival in Manila on Saturday, Jalandoni called for the release of the 43 as part of the confidence-building measure to revive the peace negotiations between the government and the NDF. “It's affirmation that they (Morong 43) are NPAs... Obviously it’s an indication that the status are health workers, as they claimed, but NPAs," Parlade said, referring to Jalandoni’s statement. Various local and international groups of health workers, human rights advocates, church leaders and lawyers have also called for the release of the 43 detainees. Jalandoni, who has been in self-exile in Netherlands along with communist founder Jose Ma. Sison and several other communist personalities for years now, also called for the release of NDF consultants, including 65-year-old Angelina Ipong. - KBK, GMANews.TV