Dutch court orders Joma detained another 90 days

A Dutch court has ordered arrested Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chairman Jose Ma. Sison detained for another 90 days. The militant umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) said Wednesday night it received this information from Sison’s lawyers. It said it learned of the decision from lawyer Edre Olalia and Public Interest Law Center lawyer Rachel Pastores. Bayan said Sison’s lawyers will appeal the Dutch court’s decision. Bayan said it will hold an indignation rally on Friday, September 14, to protest what it called “the continuing political persecution of Sison by the Dutch, Philippine and US governments." “The continuing detention of Prof. Sison sabotages hopes for the resumption of peace talks between the National Democratic Front and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines. It is a step in the direction of escalating political repression," it added. Last Friday, the Dutch government heard arguments by Sison’s lawyer to drop double murder charges against him, and was to rule in one week whether to prolong his detention. Dutch authorities arrested Sison in his Netherlands house last Aug. 28 and raided offices of the National Democratic Front. The charges against Sison stemmed from the murder of two former communist leaders, Romulo Kintanar and Arturo Tabara. - GMANews.TV