CPP seeks consultant's release

ANGELES CITY ,Philippines  – The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) yesterday urged the Aquino administration to release  National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) consultant Alan Jazmines, who is marking his first year in detention today.

“His arrest on Feb. 14, 2011, was conducted on the eve of the resumption of NDFP-GPH (Philippine government) formal peace negotiations in Oslo, Norway,” the CPP said in a statement released to media.

Police and the military disregarded Jazmines’ immunity from arrest as NDFP consultant, in violation of the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG), the CPP said.

Jazmines is detained at the Philippine National Police custodial center in Camp Crame.

The CPP bewailed the “lack of compassion” of the government, noting that Jazmines is 65 years old and suffering from severe hypertension.

“Even while in detention, Jazmines is being subjected to harassment by police personnel, having been threatened thrice with being transferred to Camp Bicutan.

His family and friends are always having a hard time bringing in letters, reading materials and other legitimate items to his detention cell,” the CPP said.

The CPP said the failure of the government to release the NDFP consultant “distorts and misinterprets” the JASIG and other standing agreements between the NDFP and the government.