DAVAO CITY—A member of the government peace panel negotiating with the National Democratic Front (NDF) is positive a substantial number of political prisoners will be released soon based on humanitarian grounds, particularly the women, sickly and senior citizens.
This was revealed on November 28 by panel member Angela Librado, who said their release is part of the commitment of President Duterte to free detained members of the NDF.
This is also in accordance with the signed agreements between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and NDF panels in Oslo, Norway, during the resumption of formal talks in August.
While she was positive on the release in December, Librado said there are legal and judicial issues that need to be addressed.
“We are looking to release a substantial number,” Librado said.
She declined to give the exact figure recommended for release on humanitarian grounds.
There are 434 personalities on the list of detainees as submitted by the NDF panel to the government.
Forty five of those recommended for release are women.
The planned release is part of continuing efforts to expedite and accelerate the peace negotiations and processes that are also brokered by the Royal Norwegian government.
Librado said the recommendation for the release of detainees on humanitarian ground is not tied to the bilateral ceasefire. She said they have already completed the guidelines for the release of detainees and have submitted a list of those who will be included in the second batch on humanitarian grounds.
Duterte earlier ordered the release of 22 high-ranking NDF leaders to allow them to participate in the peace negotiations.
“We hope the release could be had. We understand the release is an issue of urgency, but there are things to be done to ensure this will not be subject to any legal and judicial question,” she said.
Librado said they are doing their best to meet what has been agreed in Oslo.
“Probably, it will not be the best, but at this point in time, we are exerting all our efforts that the release will happen,” she said.
Librado clarified there are two different modes of releases of political prisoners. One is based on humanitarian grounds, while the other is through amnesty, which needs the concurrence of Congress after the President signs the proclamation.
The draft proclamation was earlier submitted by the panel for the signature of Duterte.
The draft proclamation also included NDF consultants already released on bail and now participating in the peace negotiations.