Govt hits tagging of NPA captives as POWs

The government on Friday condemned the New People’s Army’s tagging of the jail personnel they abducted as prisoners of war and having abducted Lingig Mayor Henry Dano face trial before a "people’s court." In a press statement, the government panel negotiating with the NPA-Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front called for the immediate release of the captives. The panel is headed by lawyer Alexander Padilla. "The CPP-NPA-NDF is not a state nor has any government recognized it as a belligerent force. It should not presume to act like one," it said. It added that the abduction of the jail guards and Mayor Dano "are nothing short of criminal" and in violation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law or CARHRIHL, as well as every human rights protocol. It said the four Bureau of Jail Management and Penology guards should not have been abducted in the first place because the functions they perform are civilian in nature and far from being "combatants." It also expressed concern over the health of the jail guards and called for their immediate release without any preconditions. "We hold the NPA directly responsible for their safety, and for any adverse health conditions they may suffer," the government panel said. 'People's court' Further, the government panel said that subjecting Mayor Dano to be tried by a "people's court" was a denial of the his fundamental rights "which they [rebels] themselves always demand when their own people are caught and are brought before a court of justice." Dano and his two military escorts were abducted on August 6. It said Dano has the right to defend himself in the best possible way, choose his own counsel, enjoy the presumption of innocence, be appraised of the complaints against him and adequately prepare his appropriate defense, to call on witnesses and present documents, to be free from coercion, force or intimidation, are being violated with impunity. "Again, the mayor is non-combatant and should be released without preconditions, including both of his escorts who enjoy the same basic rights as any other," the panel insisted. It said it is unfortunate that while the CPP and NDF are talking peace with government, the NPA has escalated its attacks and other acts of violence. "We reiterate our call to the CPP/NPA/NDF to seriously talk peace with government if they are serious in desiring to end the armed conflict. We ask that they stop these abductions, killings and other criminal acts which benefit no one, except those who actually profit from violence," the panel said. — Amita Legaspi/RSJ, GMA News