By Minde Nyl R. Dela Cruz

A COURT has ordered the cancellation of the bail and re-arrest of Communist Party of the Philippines — New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) leaders Benito and Wilma Tiamzon, and National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) consultant Adelberto A. Silva.

In a ruling signed on Jan. 11 and made available to the media on Jan. 17, Presiding Judge Thelma B. Medina of Branch 32 of the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) granted the “recommitment and cancellation of bond” of the three accused and issued warrants for their arrest.

This comes after President Rodrigo R. Duterte cancelled the peace negotiations between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) Panel and the CPP-NPA through Proclamation No. 360 signed last Nov. 23, 2017.

The Tiamzon couple and Mr. Silva were freed to allow their participation in the peace talks.

“In view of the termination of the peace negotiations with the NDF-CPP-NPA, the accused, who were merely granted provisional liberty for purposes of their supposed participation in said peace talks, should be recommitted to the courts and their respective bonds should likewise be automatically cancelled,” the order read.

NDFP Negotiating Panel Legal Consultant Edre U. Olalia said a motion for reconsideration “remains a legal option.”

Mr. Olalia also insisted that the “peace negotiations have not yet been terminated properly and in accordance with the solemn and binding protocol mutually agreed upon by the parties.”

“A unilateral declaration by one side without the proper written notice duly receipted by the other, no matter how categorical yet at the same unjustified, does not make the grade and does not bind the latter,” Mr. Olalia added.

The Tiamzons and Mr. Silva were among the accused in a mass murder in Leyte in the 1980s suspected to be perpetrated by communist rebels.

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