AJLPP Update

March 27, 2009

AJLPP Expresses Hope that Goodwill Measures by the NPA Will Help Resume Peace talks between GRP and NDFP

Los Angeles-- The Alliance-Philippines (AJLPP) expresses hope that the release of three policemen held by New People’s Army rebels for three months to Senator Jamby Madrigal will help in the resumption of the stalled peace talks between the GRP and NDFP.

The AJLPP said the release was a “sign of goodwill on the part of the NDFP. They did not ask for ransom, for anything in return.” The AJLPP also said the NDFP was hoping that this gracious act would convince the government to resume the talks.

Up to the present more than 20 peace consultants of the NDFP are in jail and being detained by the US-Arroyo government for different charges.

Asked why the captives were handed to her by the NDFP, Senator Madrigal said she's the chair of the Senate committee on peace and unification, and a major advocate of the resumption of the stalled peace talks between the communists and the government.

The said the “prisoners of war” were released in accordance with the 1949 Geneva Convention on the Articles of War.

Lawyer Gary Jimenez, chief of Madrigal's legislative staff, said in an interview with the media that the National Democratic Front of the Philippines had contacted Madrigal a couple of weeks ago and informed her about the NPA’s decision to free the three Rizal policemen.

Jimenez said that his boss and the NDFP had established a “cordial relationship” in recent years, and she even twice signed with the rebel group a joint communiqué calling for the resumption of the stalled peace talks between them and the government.

“This is proof that when parties negotiate in goodwill and it is done extremely discrete, and when politics is not a major consideration, hostages can be released easily,” she said.

The release came on the heels of the 40th anniversary of the New People’s Army (NPA) on March 29, 1969.