THE NATIONAL Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) called for the immediate release of one of its peace consultants, Frank Fernandez, who was recently arrested. “We demand that Frank Fernandez and his companions be released immediately as a matter of principle, justice and humanity,” said NDFP Peace Negotiating Panel Chairperson Fidel V. Agcaoili in a statement late Monday. Mr. Fernandez, a former priest who joined the communist movement in the 1980s, was arrested along with his wife and a staff for the rebel group in an operation last Sunday for charges of murder. Mr. Agcaoili said, “For humanitarian considerations alone, he should not have been arrested and allowed to receive unhampered medical treatment.” He added that the arrest is considered a violation of “international humanitarian law and the minimum prison standards recognized by civilized nations” as well as the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG). Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. has said that the JASIG is no longer in effect following the cancellation of the peace talks. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

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