CPP leaders Benito and Wilma Tiamzon thank Duterte for release

Recently released communist leaders including couple Benito and Wilma Tiamzon on Friday thanked President Rodrigo Duterte for facilitating their release to participate in the resumption of the peace talks between the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).

“Pinapasalamatan natin ngayon si Presidente Duterte sa pag utos niya ng pagpapalaya sa amin," Benito, chairman of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New Peoples Army (CPP-NPA), said in a news conference.

"Ang pagpapalaya na ito ay alinsunod din sa provision ng JASIG kaya ito ay nagpapatibay sa pagpapatupad ng JASIG at iba pang kasunduan na napirmahan na sa pagitan ng GPH at NDF,” he added, referring to the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) signed by the two panels in 1995.

Benito the release of the NDFP consultants serve as a “goodwill measure” on the part of the government for the start for the resumption of the peace talks in Oslo, Norway on August 22.

“Kami ay naniniwala na nabuksan ang mainam na oportunidad para sumulong ang pag uusap, para makamit ang komprehensibong usapang pangkapayapaan at para mabigyan ng wakas ang armadong karahasan,” Benito said.

Benito and his wife Wilma were among the 17 out of the 22 detained NDFP consultants released by authorities upon the order of President Rodrigo Duterte in order for them to participate in the peace talks.

In the same press conference, Wilma, who is the secretary-general of the CPP-NPA said the peace negotiation with the Duterte administration seemed to be in the right path as it is more inclusive and both parties are more determined.

“Nagpapsalamat kami kay President Duterte na binuksan muli ang usapang pangkapayaapaan na nakabatay sa pambansang sovereignty, karapatang panglipunan at demokrasya…Ang usaping pang kapayapaan ay tutungtong na sa tamang landas matapos ang matagal na pagka-diskaril,” Wilma said.

Peace talks were stalled in 2012 after the Philippine government refused to free communist leaders who had been in jail for decades.

Meanwhile, the Tiamzon couple promised to return to the country after participating in the five-day peace talks.

The Tiamzons are facing various criminal charges in four regional trial courts, including murder and kidnapping cases.

The couple said their temporary released from detention and participation in the peace talks does not necessarily mean that their group will already ceased from armed operations.

“Pinatutunayan ng mahabang kasayaysan na kapag may pangaapi at pansasamanlata ay may lalaban… Ang gusto namin ay i-explore lahat ng pamamaraan para lutasin ang problema ng ating bayan. Kung mawawala na ang batayan para sa armed struggle ay mawawala na ang armed struggle,” Benito said.

Benito, however, said the NDFP may declare a unilateral ceasefire soon depending on how the peace talks will go.

“Magiging subject yan ng paguusap sa peace talks,” Benito said.

‘Revolution Go!’

Meanwhile Wilma called on the youth not only to get busy in catching monster in the famous mobile game PokemonGo but also to participate in the fight against “monsters” in the government.

“Para sa mga kabataang Pilipino at sambayanan na nahuhumaling sa paghuli sa mga monster sa PokemonGo, alam ninyo, marami din monster sa ating lipunan na kailangan natin labanan. Sa halip na PokemonGo, maganda sana revolution go!” Wilma said.

“Hindi naman po siguro magagalit si Pangulong Duterte dahil galit din siya sa mga monsters sa gobyerno,” Wilma added. —NB, GMA News