NDFP panel retaliates on govt panel’s barbs over ‘prisoner-swap’

Barbs were traded over the negotiating table between panels of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and Government of the Philippines (GPH) regarding efforts to free a mayor abducted by the communist rebels in exchange for the release of 13 of their comrades held by the government. NDFP panel spokesman Fidel Agcaoili on Monday lambasted as “foolish" GPH panel chair Alexander Padilla for allegedly “hurling false and vicious accusations" against the NDFP, insisting that “the regional authorities of the revolutionary movement have the right to hold Lingig Mayor Henry Dano for investigation for actively participating in military operations against the people." Over the weekend, Padilla said government will not give in to “blackmail" after hearing reports that the New People's Army (NPA) had hinted on the possible release of Surigao del Sur's Lingig town Mayor Henry Dano – whom the communist rebels had abducted last Aug. 6 – in exchange for the freedom of their comrades who are in prison. “Mayor Dano shall be dealt with in accordance with the laws of the people's democratic government," said Agcaoili in the same statement. The communist panel spokesman recalled that in the first couple of months of the year the GPH-NDFP peace negotiation panels had come up with written statements that “clearly stipulate that the GPH shall release most or all of the 17 NDFP personnel protected under the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG), before the second round of formal talks in June 2011." “It is now August 2011 and there are still 13 JASIG-protected individuals in prison," decried Agcaoili. He said GPH panel chair Padilla “should stop accusing the NDFP of what the GPH is precisely doing – holding hostage the JASIG-protected individuals to extract concessions from the NDFP or set preconditions for the second round of talks," adding that with Padilla’s “foolish talk, the NDFP is now duly forewarned of the malicious intention of the GPH in the peace negotiations." He also alleged that “Padilla is hellbent on scuttling the peace negotiations, both its regular and special tracks." "There is a Tagalog saying that concretely applies to the present situation: ang balasubas ay kailanma'y di mapagkakatiwalaan (one who reneges on agreements can never be trusted)," added Agcaoili. He then reiterated the demand to release his comrades: "The GPH is under obligation to comply with signed agreements, if it expects the NDFP to enter into an agreement on social and economic reforms. The GPH must have palabra de honor and release most or all of the JASIG-protected individuals before the rescheduled second round of talks in September. — Marlon Anthony Tonson/VS, GMA