NDF says PH govt breached accord with Bayan Muna campaigner's arrest

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InterAksyon.com
The online news portal of TV5

MANILA, Philippines - The National Democratic Front of the Philippines has accused the government of violating a joint immunity pact with the recent arrest of militant party-list Bayan Muna campaigner Reynante Gamara.

NDF chief negotiator Luis Jalandoni, in a statement on Sunday, demanded Gamara's immediate release from detention.

Jalandoni insisted that the April 3 arrest in Rizal was "illegal."

"Not read his Miranda rights nor shown any warrant of arrest, he and his companion, Santiago Balleta, were handcuffed and brought to the Camp Crame Custodial Center," Jalandoni said.

Among Gamara’s belongings that were confiscated was his NDFP Document of Identification No. ND 978236 with assumed name of Siling Perez, according to Jalandoni.

"Gamara’s illegal arrest and continued detention is a gross violation of the GRP-NDF Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees. The NDF demands his immediate release in compliance with the JASIG and the return of all items confiscated from him," Jalandoni added.

Peace talks between the government and communist rebels have been deadlocked for over a year now.

The government has refused to recognize the JASIG because the original list could no longer be retrieved in The Netherlands.

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