MORE political detainees will be released in the coming days, Labor and Employment Secretary and chair of the government peace panel for the Government of the Republic of the Philippines-Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front (NDF) Silvestre Bello III said.
Bello, in a media interview during the celebration 48th Anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines at Barangay Lumiad, Paquibato District last December 26, said the Philippine Government is committed to its promise to the communist party.
Leaders of the National Democratic Front (NDF), in the same press conference, accused the government of reneging on its promise to release political prisons before Christmas Day.
Bello was quick to correct that the government never said Christmas Day, but rather Christmas season.
“Christmas season naman nakalagay so around 31 yan (It was said to be around Christmas season so it's around 31),” Bello said.
Bello added that around 17 to 20 political prisoners will be released.
Bello said that this is lesser than they first estimated because they have to follow legal procedures and many of those behind bars still have pending cases, which places them under the powers of the judiciary, a separate and equal branch of government.
“Mahirap kasi ang proseso, kung sana lahat ay convicted by panel judgment yan (The process is hard. If everyone was convicted by panel judgment), the president can just pardon them, but meron kasing pending cases (there are still pending cases),” he said.
Bello said that it is up to the court to decide on the pending cases for the prisoners to be given temporary liberty.
He also assured that President Duterte is still true on his statement on freeing all of the 430 political prisoners.
“Di ba nagbitiw si President Duterte na palalayain niya lahat ng political prisoners, at wala akong alinlangan (President Duterte really said he will release all political prisoners and I have no worry) I do not doubt the word of the President,” he said, adding the release will take time.
“As to when, hindi pa natin masisiguro kasi dadaan sa legal process and besides may sinabi si President Duterte (I'm not sure because it still has to undergo legal process and besides President Duterte said) that he is willing to declare a general amnesty subject to the approval of the congress. I think this will be an act of the President after the peace agreement is signed," he added.
During the same occasion Bello participated on the Peace Forum and sat with other National Democratic Front Officials.
Bello congratulated the communist group for their celebration.
“We wish to congratulate them on the occasion of their 48th anniversary,” he said.
Bello hoped that on the occasion the peace process done with the government and the NDF will be more explained and so that more people will support the NDF in the peace negotiations.
“It is very important kasi baka mangyari yung sa Columbia kung saan nagkaroon ng peace agreement pero pagdating sa referendum ni-reject (because it might have a peace agreement but when it reached the referendum, it was rejected just like what happened in Columbia),” Bello.
He added that they want the peace agreement would be an agreement that is acceptable to the people.
“So this early we want to explain to the people ano ang pinag-usapan naming ano ang pinagkakaintindihan namin at ano ang magiging outcome nitong peace negotiations (what we talked about and agreed on and what will be the outcome of peace negotiations),” he said.