Numbers of released political prisoners in the Duterte Administration rises up to 49

Thursday, July 6^th, was a day of celebration for the 10 political detainees granted Presidential pardon, bringing up to 49 the total number of political prisoners that have been released under the Duterte administration.

The prisoners, most of whom had been incarcerated for more than 10 years, were freed through the efforts of the NDFP RWC-SER or National Democratic Front of the Philippines’ Reciprocal Working Committee on Socioeconomic Reforms.

According to the NDFP, the release of 20 of the political prisoners were based on the merits of their case, while another 19 were under Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) considerations. Aside from that, 18 of them were NDF consultants whose releases were ordered July of last year before the resumption of peace talks as confidence building measures, as well as four convicted rebels pardoned in December.

The political prisoners were released days after the resumption of the peace talks this coming august was announced by government chief negotiator Silvestre Bello III. The fifth round of talks was supposed to have happened last May but was cancelled due to the government’s refusal to participate, citing as reason the lack of a conducive environment for the said talks.

The detainees released last Thursday night were: Apolonio Barado, Emeterio Antalan, Ricardo Solangon, Joel Ramada, Apolonio Barado, Jose Navarro, Generoso Rolida, Arnulfo Boates, Josue Ungsod, Manolito Matricio, Sonny Marbella, and Apolonio Barado.

Emeterio Antalan is also covered by the JASIG, while release is yet pending for two other NDF consultants covered by JASIG – Eduardo Sarmiento and Leopoldo Caluza – while waiting for the completion of their court documents, according to Bello.

In addition, Bello says this latest batch of releases “is in accord with the process that will eventually lead to a general amnesty proclamation once we reach a final peace agreement with the communist rebels.”

Alan Jazmines, NDFP RWC-SER vice-chairperson, says that many of the released were farmers “who were imprisoned just because of their struggle for land.”

The Philippine government and the NDF resumed peace negotiations in Oslo, Norway August of last year.