US opposes pardon for Rowe killers

The United States strongly opposes the granting of a presidential pardon for the killers of US Army Col. James Rowe.

The Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front have asked the Arroyo administration to free Alex Boncayao Brigade hit men Donato Continente and Juanito Itaas, along with other so-called political prisoners, as part of peace negotiations.

But US Embassy spokeswoman Karen Kelley said yesterday her government opposes presidential pardon for Continente and Itaas.

"The government of the Republic of the Philippines is fully aware of our strong concern that the terrorist killers of Colonel Rowe serve their full sentence imposed by Philippine courts," she said. "(However), we have no indication that the government of the Philippines is considering any amnesty or pardon for these terrorist."

However, Kelley said the US government is confident that President Arroyo will not grant presidential pardon to Continente and Itaas.

"President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has taken a courageous stand against all forms of terrorism, the US deeply appreciates (her) contribution to the international war on terrorism and continued principled stand in dealing with terrorists."

Kelley said Continente and Itaas were convicted of acts of terrorism, which the Philippines has vowed to fight as a signatory to a United Nations resolution passed after the Sept. 11 attacks on the US.

"In his diplomatic assignment, Colonel Rowe was an internationally protected person under UN conventions signed by the US and the Philippines," she said.

"Col. Nick Rowe was serving on a diplomatic assignment for the US government in the Philippines when he was brutally murdered by terrorists affiliated with the Alex Boncayao Brigade, which then formed part of the (New People’s Army).

Rowe was being driven into the Joint United States Miltary Advisory Group (JUSMAG) compound in Quezon City when Continente and Itaas shot and killed him, and wounded his driver in an ambush.