THE Philippine National Police (PNP) Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) is already taking necessary efforts to re-arrest the communist rebels who were freed to take part in the peace talks between the government and the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), a police official said.

“May mga inputs na ang CIDG diyan ngayon, ongoing effort ng CIDG, case build up at manhunt operations against those freed covered with warrant of arrest that is why in due time makukuha din sila,” said PNP chief Ronald Dela Rosa.

At least 20 NDFP consultants were freed to participate in the peace talks in Oslo, Norway and Rome, Italy which started last year, after President Rodrigo Duterte took office.

Among those given safe conduct passes were Benito and Wilma Tiamzon, Adelberto Silva, Alfredo Mapano, Tirso Alcantara, Pedro Codaste and Porferio Tuna, Concha Araneta Bocala, Ernesto Lorenza, Eduardo Ganelsa, Ariel Arbitrario, Runel Saluta, Jaime Solidad, Keneddy Bangibang and Alan Jazmines.

However, after over a year of the peace negotiations, Duterte ordered the cancellation of all the scheduled meetings with the communists due to the attacks launched by the New People’s Army, the CPP’s armed wing, amid the on-going talks.

Duterte also labelled the CPP and NPA as terrorists due to their gruesome attacks which victimized not only government forces but also innocent civilians.

Meanwhile, the Tiamzons and Silva asked the court to deny the government’s plea for their possible re-arrest, saying there is no formal notice on the termination of the peace talks. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo/SunStar Philippines)