TEN political prisoners were released on Thursday night after President Rodrigo R. Duterte pardoned them, a move that is in line with the government’s peace talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).

Among those who were granted pardon are: NDFP consultant Emeterio Antalan, Ricardo Solangon, Joel Ramada, Apolonio Barado, Jose Navarro, Generoso Rolida, Arnulfo Boates, Manolito Matricio, Josue Ungsod, and Sonny Marbella. They were released from New Bilibid Prison on the evening of July 6.

Human rights group Karapatan lauded the presidential pardon as a “good news” for the prisoners’ families, friends, and supporters “who have witnessed how their loved ones have been wrongly convicted for trumped-up charges” and “endured unimaginable injustices throughout their years in jails.”

“Through the efforts of the NDFP, counsels, their families and the people’s movement, the State has been compelled to comply with its obligations under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL),” said Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay.

However, Ms. Palabay said that the release of political prisoners should not be used by the government to force the NDFP to agree with a bilateral ceasefire agreement.

“This should not be, in any way, used as a bargaining chip by the government to impose on the NDFP a bilateral ceasefire agreement and further undermine discussions on the substantive agenda such as human rights and international humanitarian law, socioeconomic and political reforms,” Ms. Palabay said.

Further, she urged that the President should release all political prisoners as promised last year.

“These are actually bread crumbs, because at least 392 political detainees continue to languish in jail and many more are being illegally arrested under Duterte’s martial law. The release of all political prisoners, we repeat, is an issue of justice and should not be dependent on the whim and caprices of the military or even the President,” she added.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello II, chief negotiator of the government peace panel, earlier confirmed that the fifth round of talks with the NDFP will resume in August.

Members of the government peace panel temporatily withdrew from negotiations last May due to a directive issued by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) to its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), to intensify its offensive operations amid the declaration of martial law and suspension of habeas corpus in Mindanao.

For his part, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate, vice chair of the House Committee on peace, reconciliation and unity, welcomed Mr. Duterte’s move to release the 10 prisoners, and hopes for the success of peace talks.

“This is a positive gesture and bodes well for the continuation of the peace negotiations. We hope that the other political prisoners would also be freed soon,” Mr. Zarate said in a press release.

The lawmaker also scored Defense secretary Maj. Gen. Delfin N. Lorenzana, National security adviser Gen. Hermogenes C. Esperon Jr. and Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Lt. Gen. Eduardo M. Año for “sabotaging the peace negotiations.”

Last Wednesday, NDFP called Mr. Lorenzana a “major obstacle to peace” on Wednesday due to his earlier pronouncement that the “government panel should consider ending the peace process.” — Jil Danielle M. Caro

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