Militants: Joma's release a 'small victory'

A major leftist organization expressed elation over the imminent release of Jose Ma. Sison, founder of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), but added that the development was a "small victory" in their continuing struggle. The multisectoral umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) issued the statement Thursday afternoon minutes after news from the Netherlands broke out that a Dutch court ordered Sison's release due to lack of evidence. In a text message to GMANews.TV, Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes said that, "We are happy with the release of Professor Sison. This is just one small victory against the Philippines, Dutch and United States governments that conspired to persecute Sison." The 68-year-old Sison was arrested last month in Utrecht, where he has lived in self-imposed exile for two decades. He was taken into custody for allegedly ordering the murders of Romulo Kintanar and Arturo Tabara, who were killed in the Philippines in 2003 and 2004 respectively. Dutch judges said it was clear the CPP was responsible for the crimes, but added that there was too little evidence to link Sison directly. Despite the development, Reyes warned that militants continue to live in uncertain times. "Still, there will be more threats of persecution in the future. We must remain vigilant against those who tirelessly attack the people's movement," he added. In Malacañang, officials of the Arroyo administration said they have yet to hear word about Sison's release. "(We have) no idea of this development," said Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye. National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales and Jesus Dureza, Presidential Adviser to the Peace Process, said in separate interviews that the only information reaching them was that Sison was supposed to under the custody of Dutch authorities for another 90 days. Sison’s lawyers relayed to Bayan on Wednesday that a Dutch court ordered their client's continued detention on the said period. Earlier in the day, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo warned communist leaders as well as CPP's armed faction, the New People's Army, to avail of amnesty or face military might. "If we are to become a modernized country, we have to put a stop to their ideological nonsense and their criminal acts once and for all. It is either amnesty or military solution. Whichever way, Communist rebellion must be stopped," Mrs Arroyo said. - GMANews.TV