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Friday, January 13, 2006
RP seeks custody of exiled communist movement leader
MALACAÑANG is hoping that the Dutch Government would finally agree to extradite Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chairman Jose Maria Sison back to the Philippines instead of turning him over to US authorities.
Ermita said they are aware that Sison has been informed by the Dutch Government about plans to deport him.
"They (Dutch government) are in possession of evidence against Jome Sison as head of the CPP and head of the armed wing of the CPP, the NPA (New People's Army) is known that have committed terrorist activities. As far as the actions of the Netherlands is concerned, of course the Philippine Government welcomes it," he said.
Ermita said the problem however is that the imposition of the capital punishment in the Philippines hinders efforts to regain custody of Sison.
He said Sison is charged with cases that are penalized by the death penalty. "It is against the Constitution and policy of the Dutch government to extradite somebody who could be subject to the death penalty. So that's the only constraint. So we would welcome if that opportunity (extradition) comes so that the charges against him could be tried in the Philippines," he added.
Ermita also welcomed the Norwegian Government's interest to continue facilitating peace negotiations between the government and the CPP-NPA.
The Dutch Government is planning to ignore the inclusion of the CPP-NPA and Sison in the foreign terrorists organizations listed by the US and the European Union in favor of the UN's decision to exclude the rebel group in its own terrorist listing.
The move aims to facilitate the CPP-NPA-National Democratic Front's return to the peace negotiations with the Philippine Government.
Ermita said the government would still go by the US and EU's terrorist listing but its doors for negotiations remains open. (JMR/Sunnex)
(January 13, 2006 issue)
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