Manila, Philippines – Inihayag ng Legal Cooperation Cluster (LCC) ng the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) na ang pag-aresto at pagkulong kina Porferio Runa, Simeon Naogsan at Wigberto Villarico ay “fully justified, legal at moral.”
Ayon kay office of the Solicitor General Justice Angelita V. Miranda, Chairman ng LCC, ang pag-aresto sa tatlo ay ginawa alinsunod sa standing arrest warrant na inisyu ng korte para sa heinous crimes gaya ng kidnapping at murder sa kabila ng saklaw ng sinasabing immunity sa ilalim ng nawala nang Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG).
“The JASIG, originally designed to facilitate peace talks, has long outlived its relevance. Its termination in 2017 by then-President Rodrigo Duterte was both a legal and necessary response to the NPA’s relentless acts of violence and betrayal of public trust. Provision III (5) of the JASIG clearly states that the agreement can be terminated by either party through written notice, which President Duterte exercised, effectively nullifying any claim of immunity by alleged NDFP negotiators,” ani Miranda.
Dagdag pa ni Miranda na ang terminasyon ay napaka “critical move” dahil nagagamit ito bilang kasangkapan ng criminal impunity.
“The JASIG’s purpose was to foster dialogue, not to provide sanctuary for individuals committing heinous crimes,” ayon kay Miranda.
Ang pag-aresto kina Tuna, Naogsan at Villarico ay base sa valid warrant na inisyu ng korte at sinabing “these individuals face charges for crimes that shock the conscience—kidnapping, murder, and other atrocities. The LCC underscores that even under JASIG, immunity never extended to acts contrary to the peace process. Provision II (1) of JASIG is unequivocal: immunity does not cover crimes beyond the scope of peace negotiations,” paliwanag pa ng LCC.
“No agreement, no matter how noble its intent, can shield individuals from accountability for heinous acts. Justice must take precedence,” dagdag ni Miranda.
“The government’s actions are firmly grounded in its constitutional mandate to protect public welfare. Article II, Section 5 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution enshrines the government’s duty to maintain peace and order and protect life and property. The arrests of these high-ranking leaders are not only legal but also a moral imperative to uphold justice and protect the Filipino people,” paliwanag pa ng opisyal.
Iginiit ng LCC na ang JASIG, ay kinasa upang pagkatiwalaan ang usapang pangkapayapaan, at hindi para isanggalang sa criminal justice system.
“Law enforcement agencies acted lawfully and appropriately in executing these arrests. These individuals cannot hide behind a terminated agreement to evade accountability,” ani Miranda.
Aniya, sa pag-aresto sa tatlong communist-terrorist leader, muling pinagtibay ng pamahalaan ang kapangyarihan nito at pagkilala sa mga heinous crime na dapat patawan ng hustisya.
“Peace without justice is an illusion. The rule of law must stand firm against those who threaten the safety and security of our nation,” ang sabi pa ni Miranda. RNT
