“The three were conducting community consultations on the aborted peace talks between the CPP-NPA-NDF [Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA-National Democratic Front] and the government with the residents of the barangay. The said peace talks should have been held on October 31 in Oslo, Norway,” said Macario Liwanag, spokesman for the NPA’s Narciso Antazo Command based in Rizal province.

Liwanag said the arrest of Marissa Espedido, 21, Hermogenes Reyes Jr., 22, and Jared Valero Morales, 21, all residents of Rizal, was “illegal.”

The three were arrested in Barangay Santa Inez, Tanay, on October 26 by troops from the Army’s 16th Infantry Battalion led by Sgt. Rudy Bautista, Rizal policemen and militiamen.

Earlier, Lt. Col. Noel Detoyato, 16th IB commander, said three high-powered firearms and explosives were recovered from the three.

Liwanag said the three were repeatedly subjected to interrogation and torture while hog-tied and deprived of their rights to immediately inform their families of their arrest.

Illegal possession of firearms charges have been filed against the three.

“We are calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Espedido, Reyes and Morales; and for the military to respect human rights and the International Humanitarian Law, the way the New People’s Army extended those to the three prisoners of war (POWs) Insp. Rex Cuntapay, PO1 Albert Umali and PO1 Marvin Agasen arrested by members of NAAC-NPA-Rizal on 2009,” Macario said.

(Zaff Solmerin)