Paris, Gonyong return, see release of political detainees

By NITZ ARANCON
Correspondent

NATIONAL Democratic Front (NDF) peace consultants Alfredo Mapano and Pedro  Codaste returned to this city from Oslo, Norway, with optimism that the government would soon release over 500 political detainees.

Speaking to reporters yesterday, the NDF consultants said peace negotiators discussed in Oslo the possibility of the government granting political detainees amnesty.

Until last month, Mapano, known as Ka Paris, was detained at the Misamis Oriental jail while Codaste a.k.a. Ka Gonyong was a political detainee in Malaybalay city in Bukidnon.

Mapano said the second round of negotiations would take place next month.

So far, negotiators agreed to uphold the Joint  Agreement on Safety Immunity Guarantee (Jasig) which means that while the negotiations are ongoing, the NDF’s peace consultants cannot be arrested and tried in court.

The Jasig applies to Mapano and Codaste who stood behind NDF chief negotiator Luis Jalandoni and NDF chief consultant Jose Maria Sison as they met with government negotiators Jesus Dureza and Silvestre Bello III.

Dureza is presidential adviser on the peace process while Bello is Labor secretary.

Mapano said negotiators discussed many issues and concerns. One is the strict implementation of the ceasefire between the government and the New People’s Army (NPA).

“Samtang wala pa mahuman ang peace negotiations, wala say  gira tali sa mga sundalo ug NPA,” Mapano said.