What Sison’s arrest means
Manila newspapers headlined yesterday the arrest of Mr. Jose Ma. Sison, political consultant of the National Democratic Front, in the peace talks with government. He is more known as the founding chairman of the Communist Party of the Philippines which is engaged in armed struggle with the government.He was reportedly arrested in the city of Utrecht in The Netherlands which also hosts the foreign chapter of the NDF rebel coalition.
It is a significant development in the history of the insurgency, almost similar to the time Mr. Sison was arrested sometime in 1977 in the Philippines while he was in the underground. After his release in 1986 by the Cory government, he went on exile in The Netherlands.
The report said that Mr. Sison would be tried in Dutch courts on the ground that he violated Dutch laws. One of that crime is he reportedly ordered the killing of some people in the Philippines while staying in The Netherlands.
The previous arrangement in Mr. Sison’s exile was that he could stay as a political refugee in The Netherlands provided he did not violate local laws. The legal question now is whether the state prosecutors of The Netherlands could prove that Sison indeed ordered the killing while staying in the European country.
That would be matter of a presentation of evidence. Remember that the Dutch courts and government are under pressure to show fairness in their trials because many elements in the Dutch Parliament are human rights-oriented. Public opinion also won’t allow unfair trial for political refugees or their eventual extradition to their native countries, even for a suspected communist like Sison.
From 1986, Joma could stay in The Netherlands since he was supported by many members of the Dutch Parliament who thought that no political refugee should be expelled if he is in danger of being persecuted at home. Even before his arrest, Joma could travel to the Benelux countries: Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg.
For the Philippine audience, the more important question on the Joma arrest is its implication on the peace process. Would this development lead to resumption of peace negotiations between the government and the communist rebels? Or will this lead to more violence in the insurgent areas?
The peace talks that started in 1992 have been canceled several times because of the many contentious issues that cropped up during the talks. After the initial agreement on human rights, the other three topics held vital to a final peace accord had been put on the backburner. One obstacle is the disagreement on truce, a foolish attitude since ceasefire is supposed to benefit both sides.
Just a recollection: The arrest and incarceration of Joma during the Marcos years did not check the insurgency. As a matter of fact, it even increased the number of rebels and their arms to the point of threatening the government in 1986. At that time, the rebels were already proclaiming the entry of strategic offensive, which means readiness to enter Manila. What we are saying is that the arrest of a leader did not mean the end of the insurgency.
The Philippine government should take advantage of the situation by proposing a resumption of peace talks with the NDF, with no conditions. And in that effort, The Netherlands and members of the European Union would fully support the peace initiative.
Remembering del Pilar
We remember today, August 30, Marcelo H. del Pilar, the chief propagandist of the Philippine Revolution. Like Rizal and Bonifacio, we honor his memory because of his role in building our race and nation.
Samahang Plaridel will honor this Bulakeño with flowers at his tomb in the Children’s Park (in front of Manila Zoo). Journalists and city officials will be there to pay tribute to the man who set the standards of Filipino journalism.
BRIEF NOTES. General Avelino “Sonny” Razon will be our guest at the Kapihan sa Sulo on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at the Sulo Hotel in Quezon City . . . Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn is angry at the proliferation of mining claims in his city. Local government cannot sit idly while the environment is being destroyed by profit-oriented firms. . . . The same is happening in Sibuyan Island in Romblon. Heard that some mining firms are out to destroy the beautiful Mt. Guiting-Guiting just to mine iron ore and nickel in San Fernando. . . . Good that Congressman Carlos Padilla has filed charges against the ZTE and the DOTC for the national broadband contract.
