Ocampo calls on Filipinos in Europe for people pressure
By LOUI GALICIA
ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo called on Filipinos in Europe to put pressure on President Arroyo to stop the gross human rights violations in the Philippines, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau reported Thursday.
"Gusto kong maunawaan nila na ang kanilang mga pangangampanya, yung pagtulong nila para mailantad ang paglabag sa karapatang pantao sa Pilipinas, pang-aabuso sa gobyerno ay nakakaron ng epekto. May pagsulong na nagaganap sa hanay ng mamamayan para mailantad ang katiwalian, mga karahasan sa mga paglabag ng gobyerno Macapagal Arroyo sa karapatan ng mamayang Piipino at ito ay mababatid sa buong daigdig," Ocampo said.
"I want them to understand that their campaigns, their assistance in exposing violations of human rights in the Philippines, abuses in government, are having an effect. It affects the people in revealing the anomalies and violence of the violations of the Arroyo government to the Filipino people’s rights and these are being exposed internationally."
Ocampo was in Amsterdam on Wednesday and spoke to a group of 100 of his staunch supporters coming from different parts of the Netherlands on the prospects of peace, the human rights situation in the Philippines, specifically his own experience in the violations of his rights as an individual and as a member of the House of Representatives, and his continuing political persecution.
He reminded his supporters that people pressure is still an effective tool to effect a change.
"Magkakaroon ng pressure sa ating gobyerno para mapigilan natin, para mabawasan at ultimately matigil itong pagpaslang at paglabag sa karapatang pantao at maalis na rin ang katiwalian ng opisyal sa ating gobyerno. Sa anumang paraan ang kapasyahan ay para sa mga mamamayang Pilipino," Ocampo said.
"Pressure can be exerted on the government to prevent, reduce and ultimately stop the killings and violations of human rights and stop corruption of officials in government. In any way the decision is with the Filipino people."
He informed the Pinoys of the recent corruption charges involving President Arroyo.
"Currently now the topics in media there is that the President had called about 200 members of the congress before she approved the budget and gave them P500,000 each and offered the local government [officials], the mayors and governors the same amount of money… for what?," Ocampo said.
The Pinoys here are angry at the never-ending corruption problems in the Philippines.
"Sa amin mahalaga na mula sa kanya mismo narinig namin ang mga balita. Nabunyag ang mga bagong kaso ng corruption, yung sa NBN (national broadband network deal) at nagbigay ng mga envelope na may pera. Lalong nagiging litaw sa amin yung larawan ng nabubulok na gobyerno ni Arroyo," Jun Saturay of Rice and Rights said.
("It is important to us that we heard the news directly from him. The new cases of corruption were clearly exposed, the NBN and the envelopes containing cash. The picture became much obvious of the rottenness of the Arroyo government.")
Ocampo also confirmed the people’s notion that the Philippines is at present in a state of martial law.
"In the circumstances that extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances are happening under the system of Gloria that is supposed to have emerged as a corrective step from the Marcos martial law period is really a cause of concern that these killings happened as it happened during martial law," Ocampo said.
He said that President Arroyo learned lessons from the Marcos regime.
He also added that when people talk whether there is a danger for President Arroyo to declare martial law, she doesn’t have to.
"People say there is martial law without declaration of martial law in effect. The conditions under martial law are prevalent particularly in the countryside," Ocampo said.
Ocampo touched on a lot of topics during his more than one-hour speech which became serious points to ponder for those who took the effort to attend the forum
Communist Party of the Philippines Jose Maria Sison, National Democratic Front (NDF) Negotiating Panel officials Fidel Agcaoili and Ruth de Leon attended the forum.
Connie Ledesma, wife of NDF Chair Luis Jalandoni was also there but without Jalandoni who had to rest to continue his recovery from an appendectomy.
The most popular Pinoy congressman in the Filipino community here did not stop to win more hearts as he talked about his continued persecution in the Philippines, recalling that even recently during his departure for Geneva for the Inter-Parliamentary Union meeting, he was held for one hour at the Ninoy Aquino International Ariport.
One of his most avid fans, Grace Punongbayan of Migrante, was just thankful to see him again.
"Marami ang naniniwala sa Bayan Muna at bumoto sa Bayan Muna. Lahat kami ay naniniwala sa Batasan 6 kasama si Satur Ocampo. Alam niyo na sila ay biktima ng paniniil ng gobyernong Arroyo at marami silang pinagdaanang paghihirap at pagsubok ngunit ngayon ay kasama natin siya muli, hindi nga lang araw-araw, hindi buwan-buwan, hindi taon taon," Punongbayan said.
("Many believe in Bayan Muna and voted for Bayan Muna. All of us believe in Batasan6 including Satur Ocampo. They are victims of repression by the Arroyo government and they have experienced numerous hardships but now they are here with us, maybe not everyday, not every month, not every year.")
Consie Lozano of the Liga ng Kabataang Pilipino had been expecting Ocampo to pass by the Netherlands because she says he owes it to the Pinoys here.
"Sa pagkakaalam ko kasi palagi si Ka Satur dito. Tuwing pumupunta siya dito talagang dumadaan siya dito sa Netherlands para makihalubilo sa mga Pilipino hindi lang para makilala yung Filipino community kundi para din ibalik niya yung suporta ng Filipino community na binoto siya sa ilalam ng party list ng Bayan Muna," Lozano said.
("As far as I know, Ka Satur always comes here. Whenever he comes he always goes to the Netherlands to interact with Filipinos not just to acquaint himself with the Filipino community but to recognize the support the Filipino community gave when it voted for him under the Bayan Muna party list.")
Ocampo will be flying back on Thursday to the Philippines and is ready to face his critics.
Just over the weekend, Sen. Maria Ana Consuelo "Jamby" Madrigal was also in the Netherlands where she signed a joint statement with the NDF calling for resumption of peace talks and which received negative comments from the officials of Mrs. Arroyo’s government.
"It’s no longer surprising. The first time Madrigal was here to meet with Mr. Jalandoni, Mr. Sison and the others, the Secretary of Justice threatened to charge her with treason because she’s an official of the government and she talks with the enemies of the state," Ocampo said.
Ditto for him, Ocampo says.
"I am prepared to face whatever reaction when I come back there," Ocampo declared.
SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=96231
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Jamby, a simple Pinay when in Europe
Jamby, a simple Pinay when in Europe
By LOUI GALICIA
ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
Sen. Maria Ana Consuelo "Jamby" Madrigal’s latest trip to Europe proved that she isn’t the "prima donna" type of lady despite her position and wealth.
When she checked in at the posh and historic Le Meridien Hotel des Indes, a hotel which had been operating since 1881 and has hosted aristocrats, kings, heads of state and celebrities, Madrigal paid her accommodation from her own pocket.
In fact, she says that she pays all her trips herself, even the expenses of her assistant.
"Well ako naman nagbabayad ng lahat. At wala akong pamilya na kasamaand I have never traveled with my family (I pay for my trips and I have never traveled with my family)," Madrigal told ABS-CBN Europe in an exclusive interview.
"Every time, pati aking assistant ako ang nagbabayad. Wala kaming sinasampa sa taong bayan. Hirap na hirap na nga ang taong bayan. Technically I’m here to work and technically I can charge this pero di ko chinacharge sa taong bayan (Every time, I pay for my assistant. I don’t burden the Filipino people because they have so many financial difficulties already. Technically I’m here to work and technically I can charge this but I don’t charge it to the Filipino people)," Madrigal declared.
Atty. Gary Jimenez is the sole person who accompanied Madrigal during her last three trips to the Netherlands and he did not seem to be her personal "alalay" (servant or hanger on).
In fact, Madrigal packed her two large suitcases, one of which is a Louis Vuitton case, herself, before she checked out of the hotel.
She did not seem to mind when her LV suitcase was just thrown at the back of the van that picked her up. Others would have gone crazy if their LVs are treated that way for fear of scratching such an expensive piece of luggage.
This correspondent, who had covered her last three trips to the Netherlands, also noticed that she used the same handbag during her two visits to the Netherlands last March 2007 and last weekend.
Madrigal was in the Netherlands in October 2006 and March 2007 for the Permanent People’s Tribunal sessions which tried and convicted President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for gross violations of human rights, and just last weekend in her capacity as chair of the Senate Senate Committee on Peace, Unification and Reconciliation.
While it is normal to see celebrities and politicians flash their vast collection of expensive designer handbags in public, Madrigal was seen carrying a Kate Spade bag twice.
Her Kate Spade with the classic Noel Blue design should be worth a little over $600 based on the price of a similar but smaller-sized bag on the company’s website and which is not that expensive compared to the bags being flaunted by people of her stature.
Before coming to the Netherlands, Madrigal had openly criticized Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and his sister Pia for their trip to Geneva, Switzerland to attend the annual Inter-Parliamentary Union Conference held from Oct 8-10.
She said that she opposes these "family trips" during foreign missions and does not condone her colleagues who bring an entourage comprised of family members and "alalays" (hangers-on) to official trips abroad.
"Alam naman ng taong bayan na five years old palang ako eh pumupunta na ako sa Europe kaya di ako sabik na sabik. Ang pera ng pamilya ko, hundred-year-old money that was saved na galing pa sa lolo ko. Ang aming ginagastos, wala kaming chinacharge sa taong bayan (Everybody knows that at five years old, I was already going to Europe. My family’s money originally came from my grandfather so we never spent the money of the Filipino people)," Madrigal said.
Madrigal’s grandfather is the former Supreme Court Chief Justice Jose Abad Santos of San Fernando, Pampanga. Her paternal grandfather was Senator Vicente Madrigal of Ligao, Albay, elected in 1949.
Madrigal does not care if paying for her own trips abroad will not impress her critics given that her wealth is common knowledge and she is in the top ten list of the richest senators in the Philippines in 2006.
"Hindi ko naman ninakaw yung pera ko. Ang dami naman diyang mayayamang politiko na ang pinanggalingan ng pera eh talagang nakakapagtaka. Hindi naman masama ang gumastos ng sariling pera kung di mo ninakaw (I didn’t steal the money anyway. There are so many rich politicians whose money came from questionable sources. It’s not bad to use your own money if you didn’t steal it)," Madrigal said.
Being so used to Europe, Madrigal exudes a down-to-earth attitude when she is in the Netherlands.
During the gruelling and tiresome Saturday meeting with the National Democratic Front Panel that was held at the Nassau Church in Amsterdam, she asked for a half-hour rest before proceeding to a scheduled forum in another venue.
Jimenez and an NDF staffer found an empty conference room and put a blanket on top of a table and Madrigal uncomplainingly took a short nap on top of this improvised "bed."
And when it comes to food, although she is a strict vegetarian, she is not very picky.
In fact, she said that the highlight of her every visit to the Hague is always a meal at her favorite restaurant downtown, a Chinese restaurant called Fat Kee.
This small restaurant is a popular hangout of Pinoys because of its fast service and tasty dishes like roast pork and salt and pepper chicken.
However, it is stripped of class and elegance and the restaurant doesn’t boast of anything fancy.
But Madrigal always eats here and in fact her favorites are vegetarian fried rice, sweet and sour tofu and stir-fried Kangkong (a green leafy vegetable common in the Philippines) which she all eats with gusto.
Madrigal feels that she is always misinterpreted in the Philippines and people have the wrong impression of her because she is blatantly frank and very serious about her work as a senator.
Asked if she has any presidential ambitions for 2010, she replied, "That is neither here nor there. Ang kailangan magawa muna natin maiwasto itong mga mali na nangyayari ngayon."
"I’m not planning for 2010 the way my colleagues are. Kasi sa akin dapat ang isang senador ang focus eh ang trabaho nya. The moment nag-ambisyon kang maging presidente marami dyan matatakot nang bumanat sa masama at tungkulin mo bilang senador eh nasasakripisyo na and I’m not willing to do it (I’m not planning for 2010 the way my colleagues are. For me a senator should be focused on his work. The moment he has aspires for something more, he becomes scared of lashing out and he sacrifices his being a senator and I’m not willing to do it)," Madrigal said.
SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryID=96054
By LOUI GALICIA
ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
Sen. Maria Ana Consuelo "Jamby" Madrigal’s latest trip to Europe proved that she isn’t the "prima donna" type of lady despite her position and wealth.
When she checked in at the posh and historic Le Meridien Hotel des Indes, a hotel which had been operating since 1881 and has hosted aristocrats, kings, heads of state and celebrities, Madrigal paid her accommodation from her own pocket.
In fact, she says that she pays all her trips herself, even the expenses of her assistant.
"Well ako naman nagbabayad ng lahat. At wala akong pamilya na kasamaand I have never traveled with my family (I pay for my trips and I have never traveled with my family)," Madrigal told ABS-CBN Europe in an exclusive interview.
"Every time, pati aking assistant ako ang nagbabayad. Wala kaming sinasampa sa taong bayan. Hirap na hirap na nga ang taong bayan. Technically I’m here to work and technically I can charge this pero di ko chinacharge sa taong bayan (Every time, I pay for my assistant. I don’t burden the Filipino people because they have so many financial difficulties already. Technically I’m here to work and technically I can charge this but I don’t charge it to the Filipino people)," Madrigal declared.
Atty. Gary Jimenez is the sole person who accompanied Madrigal during her last three trips to the Netherlands and he did not seem to be her personal "alalay" (servant or hanger on).
In fact, Madrigal packed her two large suitcases, one of which is a Louis Vuitton case, herself, before she checked out of the hotel.
She did not seem to mind when her LV suitcase was just thrown at the back of the van that picked her up. Others would have gone crazy if their LVs are treated that way for fear of scratching such an expensive piece of luggage.
This correspondent, who had covered her last three trips to the Netherlands, also noticed that she used the same handbag during her two visits to the Netherlands last March 2007 and last weekend.
Madrigal was in the Netherlands in October 2006 and March 2007 for the Permanent People’s Tribunal sessions which tried and convicted President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for gross violations of human rights, and just last weekend in her capacity as chair of the Senate Senate Committee on Peace, Unification and Reconciliation.
While it is normal to see celebrities and politicians flash their vast collection of expensive designer handbags in public, Madrigal was seen carrying a Kate Spade bag twice.
Her Kate Spade with the classic Noel Blue design should be worth a little over $600 based on the price of a similar but smaller-sized bag on the company’s website and which is not that expensive compared to the bags being flaunted by people of her stature.
Before coming to the Netherlands, Madrigal had openly criticized Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and his sister Pia for their trip to Geneva, Switzerland to attend the annual Inter-Parliamentary Union Conference held from Oct 8-10.
She said that she opposes these "family trips" during foreign missions and does not condone her colleagues who bring an entourage comprised of family members and "alalays" (hangers-on) to official trips abroad.
"Alam naman ng taong bayan na five years old palang ako eh pumupunta na ako sa Europe kaya di ako sabik na sabik. Ang pera ng pamilya ko, hundred-year-old money that was saved na galing pa sa lolo ko. Ang aming ginagastos, wala kaming chinacharge sa taong bayan (Everybody knows that at five years old, I was already going to Europe. My family’s money originally came from my grandfather so we never spent the money of the Filipino people)," Madrigal said.
Madrigal’s grandfather is the former Supreme Court Chief Justice Jose Abad Santos of San Fernando, Pampanga. Her paternal grandfather was Senator Vicente Madrigal of Ligao, Albay, elected in 1949.
Madrigal does not care if paying for her own trips abroad will not impress her critics given that her wealth is common knowledge and she is in the top ten list of the richest senators in the Philippines in 2006.
"Hindi ko naman ninakaw yung pera ko. Ang dami naman diyang mayayamang politiko na ang pinanggalingan ng pera eh talagang nakakapagtaka. Hindi naman masama ang gumastos ng sariling pera kung di mo ninakaw (I didn’t steal the money anyway. There are so many rich politicians whose money came from questionable sources. It’s not bad to use your own money if you didn’t steal it)," Madrigal said.
Being so used to Europe, Madrigal exudes a down-to-earth attitude when she is in the Netherlands.
During the gruelling and tiresome Saturday meeting with the National Democratic Front Panel that was held at the Nassau Church in Amsterdam, she asked for a half-hour rest before proceeding to a scheduled forum in another venue.
Jimenez and an NDF staffer found an empty conference room and put a blanket on top of a table and Madrigal uncomplainingly took a short nap on top of this improvised "bed."
And when it comes to food, although she is a strict vegetarian, she is not very picky.
In fact, she said that the highlight of her every visit to the Hague is always a meal at her favorite restaurant downtown, a Chinese restaurant called Fat Kee.
This small restaurant is a popular hangout of Pinoys because of its fast service and tasty dishes like roast pork and salt and pepper chicken.
However, it is stripped of class and elegance and the restaurant doesn’t boast of anything fancy.
But Madrigal always eats here and in fact her favorites are vegetarian fried rice, sweet and sour tofu and stir-fried Kangkong (a green leafy vegetable common in the Philippines) which she all eats with gusto.
Madrigal feels that she is always misinterpreted in the Philippines and people have the wrong impression of her because she is blatantly frank and very serious about her work as a senator.
Asked if she has any presidential ambitions for 2010, she replied, "That is neither here nor there. Ang kailangan magawa muna natin maiwasto itong mga mali na nangyayari ngayon."
"I’m not planning for 2010 the way my colleagues are. Kasi sa akin dapat ang isang senador ang focus eh ang trabaho nya. The moment nag-ambisyon kang maging presidente marami dyan matatakot nang bumanat sa masama at tungkulin mo bilang senador eh nasasakripisyo na and I’m not willing to do it (I’m not planning for 2010 the way my colleagues are. For me a senator should be focused on his work. The moment he has aspires for something more, he becomes scared of lashing out and he sacrifices his being a senator and I’m not willing to do it)," Madrigal said.
SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryID=96054
No peace talks unless Arroyo yields to NDFP
No peace talks unless Arroyo yields to NDFP
By LOUI GALICIA
ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
The National Democratic Front Panel is not going to sit on the peace negotiating table with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines unless President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo meets its demand of removing all its declared impediments to the peace talks, reported ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau.
In an exclusive interview during the NDFP’s signing of a joint statement with Sen. Maria Consuelo "Jamby" Madrigal calling for the resumption of peace talks, NDFP Chair Luis Jalandoni said that it will not budge, should President Arroyo remain aloof to the NDFP's requirements.
"Of course if she does not and she continues in her all out war policy, that is doomed to failure, then the NDFP will have to decide to continue the revolutionary struggle and aim for the resumption of peace negotiations under the next administration," Jalandoni told ABS-CBN Europe.
"In 2010, or if the mass movement becomes very effective and there is a strong Oust Arroyo campaign, then it may come earlier! But in any case, the efforts of Sen. Madrigal in putting up experts to draw up draft agreements and the suggestion of the NDFP to form a group composed of technical experts from both sides, the Senate and the NDFP can help prepare the way for the resumption of the peace negotiations as soon as this may become possible in the future," Jalandoni said.
As chair of the Senate Committee on Peace, Unification and Reconciliation, Madrigal held a meeting in secrecy, with NDFP officials at Nassaukerk or Nassau Church in Amsterdam on Friday regarding the peace process, which concluded with a joint statement calling for its resumption.
ABS-CBN is the only "other entity" that was allowed inside the venue and to witness the sigining of the joint statement by Madrigal, Jalandoni and Communist Party of the Philippines Founding Chair Jose Maria Sison.
Jalandoni said that the arrest of Sison on Aug. 28 and the raid on his house as well as the houses of the NDFP consultants, panelists and staffers were the biggest blow to the peace negotiations.
"All the twelve agreements which have been signed which we consider binding and effective and all the efforts of the peace advocates of the Norwegian government at saka so many peace advocates and organizations in the Philippines will all be thrown away," Jalandoni said.
"Pero nandyan ngayon yung initiative ni Sen. Madrigal na magkaron ng joint statement para ipakita yung initiative nung Senate Committee on Peace, Unification and Reconciliation to call for the resumption of the peace talks and to criticize the Arroyo regime for its violation of the peace agreements and for the political persecution of Joma Sison (But the initiative of Sen. Madrigal to have a joint statement is now there as a sign of the initiative of the Senate Committee on Peace, Unification and Reconciliation to call for the resumption of the peace talks and to criticize the Arroyo regime for its violation of the peace agreements and for the political persecution of Joma Sison)," Jalandoni said.
He reiterated the NDFP’s requirements for them to sit again at the negotiating table.
"The all out war policy is an illusion which has failed so many years already, so she [Pres. Arroyo] has to make a decision. She has to have the political will. Then she has to declare to immediately stop the political persecution of Prof. Jose Maria Sison and the NDFP as well as stop the extra judicial killings and enforced disappearances as well as take the immediate steps to indemnification of the victims of human rights abuses under the Marcos regime," Jalandoni said.
Jalandoni hopes that there will be strong pressure on the GRP from the part of the peace advocates.
The Norwegian Foreign Ministry informed him that Ambasador Hans Brattskar, who is replacing Tore Hattrem as facilitator for the peace process, and his delegation will come to the Netherlands to meet with NDFP on Oct. 23-24.
"The initiatives of Sen. Madrigal is very much welcome by the NDFP and we hope that many peace advocates in the Philippines and all those in the international community and the Norwegian government and others would support this initiative which will show that it is possible to go back to the peace negotiations in accordance with the agreements already signed to address the roots of the armed conflict," Jalandoni said.
According to Jalandoni, the NDFP remains open and reasonable, if only President Arroyo has the same attitude.
In fact, even if the peace talks had long been decided in 1995 to be held in a neutral foreign venue, Jalandoni is willing to go to the Philippines for consultations, if necessary.
"The NDFP, Ms. Connie Ledesma, myself and others have been willing to go back to the Philippines for consultations with some GRP officials, with the NDFP organizations, with the legal mass movement and with the peace advocates there. We have done that in 1998, in 2001, in 2004 and we will be willing to help in such consultations in the Philippines again," Jalandoni said.
SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=96033
By LOUI GALICIA
ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
The National Democratic Front Panel is not going to sit on the peace negotiating table with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines unless President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo meets its demand of removing all its declared impediments to the peace talks, reported ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau.
In an exclusive interview during the NDFP’s signing of a joint statement with Sen. Maria Consuelo "Jamby" Madrigal calling for the resumption of peace talks, NDFP Chair Luis Jalandoni said that it will not budge, should President Arroyo remain aloof to the NDFP's requirements.
"Of course if she does not and she continues in her all out war policy, that is doomed to failure, then the NDFP will have to decide to continue the revolutionary struggle and aim for the resumption of peace negotiations under the next administration," Jalandoni told ABS-CBN Europe.
"In 2010, or if the mass movement becomes very effective and there is a strong Oust Arroyo campaign, then it may come earlier! But in any case, the efforts of Sen. Madrigal in putting up experts to draw up draft agreements and the suggestion of the NDFP to form a group composed of technical experts from both sides, the Senate and the NDFP can help prepare the way for the resumption of the peace negotiations as soon as this may become possible in the future," Jalandoni said.
As chair of the Senate Committee on Peace, Unification and Reconciliation, Madrigal held a meeting in secrecy, with NDFP officials at Nassaukerk or Nassau Church in Amsterdam on Friday regarding the peace process, which concluded with a joint statement calling for its resumption.
ABS-CBN is the only "other entity" that was allowed inside the venue and to witness the sigining of the joint statement by Madrigal, Jalandoni and Communist Party of the Philippines Founding Chair Jose Maria Sison.
Jalandoni said that the arrest of Sison on Aug. 28 and the raid on his house as well as the houses of the NDFP consultants, panelists and staffers were the biggest blow to the peace negotiations.
"All the twelve agreements which have been signed which we consider binding and effective and all the efforts of the peace advocates of the Norwegian government at saka so many peace advocates and organizations in the Philippines will all be thrown away," Jalandoni said.
"Pero nandyan ngayon yung initiative ni Sen. Madrigal na magkaron ng joint statement para ipakita yung initiative nung Senate Committee on Peace, Unification and Reconciliation to call for the resumption of the peace talks and to criticize the Arroyo regime for its violation of the peace agreements and for the political persecution of Joma Sison (But the initiative of Sen. Madrigal to have a joint statement is now there as a sign of the initiative of the Senate Committee on Peace, Unification and Reconciliation to call for the resumption of the peace talks and to criticize the Arroyo regime for its violation of the peace agreements and for the political persecution of Joma Sison)," Jalandoni said.
He reiterated the NDFP’s requirements for them to sit again at the negotiating table.
"The all out war policy is an illusion which has failed so many years already, so she [Pres. Arroyo] has to make a decision. She has to have the political will. Then she has to declare to immediately stop the political persecution of Prof. Jose Maria Sison and the NDFP as well as stop the extra judicial killings and enforced disappearances as well as take the immediate steps to indemnification of the victims of human rights abuses under the Marcos regime," Jalandoni said.
Jalandoni hopes that there will be strong pressure on the GRP from the part of the peace advocates.
The Norwegian Foreign Ministry informed him that Ambasador Hans Brattskar, who is replacing Tore Hattrem as facilitator for the peace process, and his delegation will come to the Netherlands to meet with NDFP on Oct. 23-24.
"The initiatives of Sen. Madrigal is very much welcome by the NDFP and we hope that many peace advocates in the Philippines and all those in the international community and the Norwegian government and others would support this initiative which will show that it is possible to go back to the peace negotiations in accordance with the agreements already signed to address the roots of the armed conflict," Jalandoni said.
According to Jalandoni, the NDFP remains open and reasonable, if only President Arroyo has the same attitude.
In fact, even if the peace talks had long been decided in 1995 to be held in a neutral foreign venue, Jalandoni is willing to go to the Philippines for consultations, if necessary.
"The NDFP, Ms. Connie Ledesma, myself and others have been willing to go back to the Philippines for consultations with some GRP officials, with the NDFP organizations, with the legal mass movement and with the peace advocates there. We have done that in 1998, in 2001, in 2004 and we will be willing to help in such consultations in the Philippines again," Jalandoni said.
SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=96033
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Madrigal jump-starts peace talks with the communists
By LOUI GALICIA
ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
Sen. Maria Consuelo "Jamby" Madrigal is returning to the Philippines on Monday, armed with the blessing and trust of the National Democratic Front Panel for her to begin work on the resumption of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and NDFP's peace negotiations, reported ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau.
Madrigal arrived in the Hague, Netherlands last Thursday, only to be welcomed by news that her mother, Amanda Abad Santos-Madrigal, 85 years old, passed away in the Philippines.
Although she was cutting short her visit here in order to attend to her mother's wake, Madrigal didn't let her grief deter her from achieving what she came here for in the first place.
One hour after checking in at the luxurious and historic five-star Le Meridien Hotel des Indes, she immediately proceeded to a closed-door meeting with some members of the Dutch Parliament at the Eerste Kamer (First Chamber) in Binnenhof or Parliament Building.
There she briefed her Dutch counterparts on the human rights situation in the Philippines and provided them copies of her Senate Resolutions 108 and 89 regarding the resumption of peace talks and the implication of the prosecution of Jose Maria Sison on the negotiations.
For their part, according to Madrigal's assistant Atty. Gary Jimenez, the Dutch senators promised to continue to monitor the situation in the Philippines.
Jimenez told ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau that the Dutch senators also expressed belief that the prosecution of the Communist Party of the Philippines founding chair was instigated by the Philippine government and that the Philippine authorities misinformed the Dutch government regarding Sison's case.
"Well it's clear that the government had admitted that they helped the Dutch government prosecute Prof. Sison. Ibig sabiin nyan ginamit na naman ang pera ng taong bayan sa isang exercise na nakakahiya kasi nagpapatunay na wala namang ebidensya na makakapagconvict kay Prof. Sison. Kaya nakakatawa yun talaga, pera ng taong bayan ang ginagamit lang nila para itiris yung kanilang political opponent. Maraming nagsasabi, kahit yung Supreme Court sinasabi this is a political case . It is not really a legal case. It is political in nature," Madrigal said in an exclusive interview.
(It means they used citizens’ money in an exercise that was shameful because it merely proved that there was no evidence to convict Prof. Sison. It was quite amusing because they used the people’s money to convict a political opponent. So many were saying, even the Supreme Court was saying, this is a political case," Madrigal said in an exclusive interview.)
"Simple lang ang gusto nating ma-achieve. Peace, nung pumunta tayo dito almost two years ago, nag-usap na sana kami na ma-resume ang peace talks ng GRP at NDFP ngunit ito ay hindi na nag-reresume. Ang nangyayari eh pataas ng pataas ang extra-judicial killings. Me kinalaman itong extra-judicial killings sa non-resumption of peace talks. Everybody wants peace pero sana magpakita ng goodwill itong Arroyo government na iresume ang peace talks instead of declaring an all-out war policy," Madrigal added.
(We just wanted to achieve peace when we came here two days ago. We were talking then of restarting the peace talks between the GRP and the NDFP but this never came about because the extra-judicial killings kept escalating. And these extras-judicial killings had something to do with the non-resumption of the peace talks. Everybody wants peace but hoped that this Arroyo government would show goodwill instead of declaring an all-out war policy," Madrigal added.)
Madrigal said that she came to the Netherlands because Sison cannot go to the Philippines.
As a hard-working chair of the Senate Committee on Peace, Unification and Reconciliation she means serious business so that even if she had to leave earlier than planned, she made sure that she kept all the schedules on her agenda and attended all the meetings.
Most important was the meeting on Friday at the Nassaukerk or Nassau Church in Amsterdam where she held talks with the NDFP officials Luis Jalandoni, Fidel Agcaoili, Ruth de Leon and Sison regarding the peace process which concluded with a joint statement of the NDFP and Madrigal, signed by her, Jalandoni and Sison.
During this meeting, video-taped testimonies from NDF panelists, consultants and staffers who were raided by the Dutch police in connection with Sison's arrest on Aug. 28 were heard which she will bring to the Philippines to be used in connection with her resolution for the Senate to investigate its impact on the peace process.
"Ininterview ni Jamby ang mga tao na ni-raid ang bahay. Nainterview si Ka Joma Sison, naaresto sila. Nainterview din si Connie Ledesma at ako dahil bahay namin naraid din ng pulis at kinuha lahat ng peace files namin from 1986 till the end of 2004. Maraming folders yun, important documents of course, yung computer at iba pang mga files namin," Jalandoni explained.
(Jamby interviewed the people who raided the house. She interviewed Joma and those who arrested him. Then she interviewed Connie Ledesma and myself because our house was also raided and all the peace files since 1986 till the end of 2004 were confiscated. There were a lot of folders, important documents, in the computer and also in our files," Jalandoni explained.)
Jalandoni came late for that meeting because he had to meet the police earlier in Utrecht who were returning part of the confiscated files.
"Sinabi na isosoli na nila yung almost all na kinuha nila pero kokonti pa din. Yung mga peace files at mga notes eh nandun pa din sa kanila," Jalandoni complained.
(They said they were returning what they confiscated but they returned only a part of it. My peace files and some of my notes are still with them," Jalandoni complained.)
Sison's wife Juliet was not able to attend because she was ill.
"Napakalaki ng impact nito dahil yung persecution of Joma Sison at pagthreaten and intimidate ng NDF negotiation panel ay malaking blow, negative blow sa peace negotiation. Dagdag pa ito sa iba pang impediments na nilagay ng Arroyo regime like yung extra-judicial killings, disappearances, yung displacement of more than one million peasants in the countryside at ang human security act na anti-people at pati na yung walang pagbigay ng indemnification sa victims ng human rights violations under the Marcos regime at pati na yung collution nila sa terrorist listing ng CPP, NPA at ke Ka Joma," Jalandoni said.
(This has a great impact because the persecution of Joma Sison and their threatening the NDF negotiation panel is a big blow, a negative blow in the peace negotiations. Add to this the other impediments that the Arroyo regime place in their way like extra-judicial killings, disappearances, displacement of more than one million peasants in the countryside, the human security act which is anti-people and even their not giving indemnification to the victims of human rights violations under the Marcos regime plus their collusion in having the CPP, NPA and Ka Joma included in lists of terrorists," Jalandoni said.)
Madrigal said that they simply want to achieve peace because when they held talks two years ago about resuming the peace talks, it did not happen.
"Ang nangyayari eh pataas ng pataas ang extra-judicial killings. Me kinalaman itong extra-judicial killings sa non-resumption of peace talks. Everybody wants peace pero sana magpakita ng goodwill itong Arroyo government na iresume ang peace talks instead of declaring an all out war policy," Madrigal said.
(What is happening is that there are more and more extra-judicial killings and these extra-judicial killings have something to do with the non-resumption of the peace talks. Everybody wants peace but wishes the Arroyo government would show some goodwill and resume the peace talks instead of declaring an all out war policy," Madrigal said.)
"I filed this resolution and we will continue to explore ways. Kagaya nung sinabi namin sa joint statement na explore namin kung paano iresume yung peace talks and at the same time magkaron ng closure itong mga scandals kagaya nitong ZTE scandal ng Arroyo administration," Madrigal said.
(I filed this resolution and we will continue to explore ways to resume the peace talks. Like when I said in a joint statement that we would explore how to resume the peace talks and at the same time provide closure to the scandals, like that of ZTE, surrounding the Arroyo administration," Madrigal said.)
Madrigal also opposes the Presidential Proclamation 1377. "Yung amnesty ni Mrs. Arroyo bogus amnesty yun dahil that is just to divide the NPAs in the Philippines. It has nothing to do with sincerity. Imbes na mag-amnesty siya I-resume nya itong peace talks," Madrigal said.
(The amnesty being offered by Mrs. Arroyo is a bogus amnesty and is only meant to divide the NPAs in the Philippines. It has nothing to do with sincerity. Instead of offering amnesty, she should work for the resumption of the peace talks," Madrigal said.)
Hopefully kung talagang walang mangyari dito sa administration ni PGMA sa peace talks hopefully yung papalit sa kanyang presidente eh magkaron ng sinceridad na ipatuloy itong peace talks. Of course marami ding gusto siyang ma impeach so tignan natin kung me grounds for impeachment. Mrs. Arroyo should be held responsible for all the corruption, lying, cheating, the stealing, the extra-judicial murders happening in her regime kanya hopefully she will get impeached. Marami ata sa ating kababayan ang nagnanais ng impeachment para matapos na ang torture na ginagawa sa atin ng Arroyo administration," Madrigal explained.
Being a very vocal person, she is braced for the worst.
Upon arrival in her homeland, she already knows what to expect.
"Sa aking personal feeling, iko-condemn na naman nila ako for personally trying to pursue the peace talks. Pero personally, I think it is hopeless to discuss peace under the Arroyo administration but they have to be pressured and we have to try," Madrigal said.
(I personally feel that I will be condemned for personally trying to pursue the peace talks. But I think it is hopeless to discuss peace under the Arroyo administration but they have to be pressured and we have to try," Madrigal said.)
SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryID=95805
By LOUI GALICIA
ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
Sen. Maria Consuelo "Jamby" Madrigal is returning to the Philippines on Monday, armed with the blessing and trust of the National Democratic Front Panel for her to begin work on the resumption of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and NDFP's peace negotiations, reported ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau.
Madrigal arrived in the Hague, Netherlands last Thursday, only to be welcomed by news that her mother, Amanda Abad Santos-Madrigal, 85 years old, passed away in the Philippines.
Although she was cutting short her visit here in order to attend to her mother's wake, Madrigal didn't let her grief deter her from achieving what she came here for in the first place.
One hour after checking in at the luxurious and historic five-star Le Meridien Hotel des Indes, she immediately proceeded to a closed-door meeting with some members of the Dutch Parliament at the Eerste Kamer (First Chamber) in Binnenhof or Parliament Building.
There she briefed her Dutch counterparts on the human rights situation in the Philippines and provided them copies of her Senate Resolutions 108 and 89 regarding the resumption of peace talks and the implication of the prosecution of Jose Maria Sison on the negotiations.
For their part, according to Madrigal's assistant Atty. Gary Jimenez, the Dutch senators promised to continue to monitor the situation in the Philippines.
Jimenez told ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau that the Dutch senators also expressed belief that the prosecution of the Communist Party of the Philippines founding chair was instigated by the Philippine government and that the Philippine authorities misinformed the Dutch government regarding Sison's case.
"Well it's clear that the government had admitted that they helped the Dutch government prosecute Prof. Sison. Ibig sabiin nyan ginamit na naman ang pera ng taong bayan sa isang exercise na nakakahiya kasi nagpapatunay na wala namang ebidensya na makakapagconvict kay Prof. Sison. Kaya nakakatawa yun talaga, pera ng taong bayan ang ginagamit lang nila para itiris yung kanilang political opponent. Maraming nagsasabi, kahit yung Supreme Court sinasabi this is a political case . It is not really a legal case. It is political in nature," Madrigal said in an exclusive interview.
(It means they used citizens’ money in an exercise that was shameful because it merely proved that there was no evidence to convict Prof. Sison. It was quite amusing because they used the people’s money to convict a political opponent. So many were saying, even the Supreme Court was saying, this is a political case," Madrigal said in an exclusive interview.)
"Simple lang ang gusto nating ma-achieve. Peace, nung pumunta tayo dito almost two years ago, nag-usap na sana kami na ma-resume ang peace talks ng GRP at NDFP ngunit ito ay hindi na nag-reresume. Ang nangyayari eh pataas ng pataas ang extra-judicial killings. Me kinalaman itong extra-judicial killings sa non-resumption of peace talks. Everybody wants peace pero sana magpakita ng goodwill itong Arroyo government na iresume ang peace talks instead of declaring an all-out war policy," Madrigal added.
(We just wanted to achieve peace when we came here two days ago. We were talking then of restarting the peace talks between the GRP and the NDFP but this never came about because the extra-judicial killings kept escalating. And these extras-judicial killings had something to do with the non-resumption of the peace talks. Everybody wants peace but hoped that this Arroyo government would show goodwill instead of declaring an all-out war policy," Madrigal added.)
Madrigal said that she came to the Netherlands because Sison cannot go to the Philippines.
As a hard-working chair of the Senate Committee on Peace, Unification and Reconciliation she means serious business so that even if she had to leave earlier than planned, she made sure that she kept all the schedules on her agenda and attended all the meetings.
Most important was the meeting on Friday at the Nassaukerk or Nassau Church in Amsterdam where she held talks with the NDFP officials Luis Jalandoni, Fidel Agcaoili, Ruth de Leon and Sison regarding the peace process which concluded with a joint statement of the NDFP and Madrigal, signed by her, Jalandoni and Sison.
During this meeting, video-taped testimonies from NDF panelists, consultants and staffers who were raided by the Dutch police in connection with Sison's arrest on Aug. 28 were heard which she will bring to the Philippines to be used in connection with her resolution for the Senate to investigate its impact on the peace process.
"Ininterview ni Jamby ang mga tao na ni-raid ang bahay. Nainterview si Ka Joma Sison, naaresto sila. Nainterview din si Connie Ledesma at ako dahil bahay namin naraid din ng pulis at kinuha lahat ng peace files namin from 1986 till the end of 2004. Maraming folders yun, important documents of course, yung computer at iba pang mga files namin," Jalandoni explained.
(Jamby interviewed the people who raided the house. She interviewed Joma and those who arrested him. Then she interviewed Connie Ledesma and myself because our house was also raided and all the peace files since 1986 till the end of 2004 were confiscated. There were a lot of folders, important documents, in the computer and also in our files," Jalandoni explained.)
Jalandoni came late for that meeting because he had to meet the police earlier in Utrecht who were returning part of the confiscated files.
"Sinabi na isosoli na nila yung almost all na kinuha nila pero kokonti pa din. Yung mga peace files at mga notes eh nandun pa din sa kanila," Jalandoni complained.
(They said they were returning what they confiscated but they returned only a part of it. My peace files and some of my notes are still with them," Jalandoni complained.)
Sison's wife Juliet was not able to attend because she was ill.
"Napakalaki ng impact nito dahil yung persecution of Joma Sison at pagthreaten and intimidate ng NDF negotiation panel ay malaking blow, negative blow sa peace negotiation. Dagdag pa ito sa iba pang impediments na nilagay ng Arroyo regime like yung extra-judicial killings, disappearances, yung displacement of more than one million peasants in the countryside at ang human security act na anti-people at pati na yung walang pagbigay ng indemnification sa victims ng human rights violations under the Marcos regime at pati na yung collution nila sa terrorist listing ng CPP, NPA at ke Ka Joma," Jalandoni said.
(This has a great impact because the persecution of Joma Sison and their threatening the NDF negotiation panel is a big blow, a negative blow in the peace negotiations. Add to this the other impediments that the Arroyo regime place in their way like extra-judicial killings, disappearances, displacement of more than one million peasants in the countryside, the human security act which is anti-people and even their not giving indemnification to the victims of human rights violations under the Marcos regime plus their collusion in having the CPP, NPA and Ka Joma included in lists of terrorists," Jalandoni said.)
Madrigal said that they simply want to achieve peace because when they held talks two years ago about resuming the peace talks, it did not happen.
"Ang nangyayari eh pataas ng pataas ang extra-judicial killings. Me kinalaman itong extra-judicial killings sa non-resumption of peace talks. Everybody wants peace pero sana magpakita ng goodwill itong Arroyo government na iresume ang peace talks instead of declaring an all out war policy," Madrigal said.
(What is happening is that there are more and more extra-judicial killings and these extra-judicial killings have something to do with the non-resumption of the peace talks. Everybody wants peace but wishes the Arroyo government would show some goodwill and resume the peace talks instead of declaring an all out war policy," Madrigal said.)
"I filed this resolution and we will continue to explore ways. Kagaya nung sinabi namin sa joint statement na explore namin kung paano iresume yung peace talks and at the same time magkaron ng closure itong mga scandals kagaya nitong ZTE scandal ng Arroyo administration," Madrigal said.
(I filed this resolution and we will continue to explore ways to resume the peace talks. Like when I said in a joint statement that we would explore how to resume the peace talks and at the same time provide closure to the scandals, like that of ZTE, surrounding the Arroyo administration," Madrigal said.)
Madrigal also opposes the Presidential Proclamation 1377. "Yung amnesty ni Mrs. Arroyo bogus amnesty yun dahil that is just to divide the NPAs in the Philippines. It has nothing to do with sincerity. Imbes na mag-amnesty siya I-resume nya itong peace talks," Madrigal said.
(The amnesty being offered by Mrs. Arroyo is a bogus amnesty and is only meant to divide the NPAs in the Philippines. It has nothing to do with sincerity. Instead of offering amnesty, she should work for the resumption of the peace talks," Madrigal said.)
Hopefully kung talagang walang mangyari dito sa administration ni PGMA sa peace talks hopefully yung papalit sa kanyang presidente eh magkaron ng sinceridad na ipatuloy itong peace talks. Of course marami ding gusto siyang ma impeach so tignan natin kung me grounds for impeachment. Mrs. Arroyo should be held responsible for all the corruption, lying, cheating, the stealing, the extra-judicial murders happening in her regime kanya hopefully she will get impeached. Marami ata sa ating kababayan ang nagnanais ng impeachment para matapos na ang torture na ginagawa sa atin ng Arroyo administration," Madrigal explained.
Being a very vocal person, she is braced for the worst.
Upon arrival in her homeland, she already knows what to expect.
"Sa aking personal feeling, iko-condemn na naman nila ako for personally trying to pursue the peace talks. Pero personally, I think it is hopeless to discuss peace under the Arroyo administration but they have to be pressured and we have to try," Madrigal said.
(I personally feel that I will be condemned for personally trying to pursue the peace talks. But I think it is hopeless to discuss peace under the Arroyo administration but they have to be pressured and we have to try," Madrigal said.)
SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryID=95805
(2nd UPDATE) Jamby, NDF call for resumption of peace talks
Sen. Maria Consuelo "Jamby" Madrigal on Saturday said that after meeting with representatives of the National Democratic Front in the Netherlands they have agreed to call for the resumption of formal peace talks between the Philippine government and NDF.
Madrigal, in a statement, said: "The NDFP has agreed with me in a Joint Statement executed in the Netherlands that, people should unite to encourage the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and NDFP to resume formal talks in their peace negotiations, address the roots of the armed conflict, accelerate the forging of agreements and bring about a just and lasting peace."
Furthermore, Madrigal said the NDF negotiating panel "agreed to exhaust all efforts to reach a resolution to Asia’s longest running insurgency problem until peace is achieved."
ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau learned that Madrigal met with Luis T. Jalandoni, chief of the NDF negotiating panel; Fidel V. Agcaoili, member and spokesperson of the NDF panel and Ruth de Leon, executive director of NDF International Information Office.
Jose Ma. Sison, founding chairman of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and chief political consultant of the NDF panel was also present at the meeting.
Formal talks between the government and representatives of the armed communist movement in the Philippines bogged down in 2004.
NDF officials accused the Arroyo administration of refusing to work for the removal of the CPP and its armed wing New People’s Army from the terror listing made by United States and other countries.
The government of Norway assisted the government-NDF peace talks by acting as a third-party facilitator.
Madrigal said that as chairman of the Senate Committee on Peace, Unification and Reconciliation she will work for resumption of the formal talks.
"I shall form a Technical Working Group to assist in hastening the resolution of the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations for the purpose of enacting remedial legislation and to demonstrate that it is possible to produce agreements and actually use these to accelerate the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations," said the senator.
Madrigal also did not fail to recognize the difficulties that she may face in trying to jump start the talks that have been suspended for more than three years.
"I hope that the Arroyo administration and the hawks in the political and military establishment will not condemn me for engaging in treacherous talks with fellow Filipinos for the purpose of achieving peace," said Madrigal.
Madrigal had previously met with NDF officials in 2006 when she also inked a joint communiqué that had also called for the resumption of the suspended peace talks.
She reportedly earned the ire of government security officials for "sleeping with the enemy.
The neophyte senator however maintained her position.
"My intentions are clear – prevent further bloodshed and violence between Filipinos," said Madrigal. "There is no substitute for peace. The time to talk is now."
For its part, the NDF in a separate statement on the meeting with Madrigal
accused the government of "refusing to continue peace negotiations with the NDFP, ignoring demands from opposition political parties and the powerful Christian Churches in the Philippines. It has instead stepped up armed attacks against the territories of the New People's Army and the Communist Party of the Philippines, and unleashed paramilitary death squads against legal opposition parties and organizations."
The NDF also lauded Madrigal as "one of the leaders of the crusade against government corruption and a staunch promoter of social reforms in the Philippines."
With photos and a report from Loui Galicia, Europe News Bureau
SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=95775
Sen. Maria Consuelo "Jamby" Madrigal on Saturday said that after meeting with representatives of the National Democratic Front in the Netherlands they have agreed to call for the resumption of formal peace talks between the Philippine government and NDF.
Madrigal, in a statement, said: "The NDFP has agreed with me in a Joint Statement executed in the Netherlands that, people should unite to encourage the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and NDFP to resume formal talks in their peace negotiations, address the roots of the armed conflict, accelerate the forging of agreements and bring about a just and lasting peace."
Furthermore, Madrigal said the NDF negotiating panel "agreed to exhaust all efforts to reach a resolution to Asia’s longest running insurgency problem until peace is achieved."
ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau learned that Madrigal met with Luis T. Jalandoni, chief of the NDF negotiating panel; Fidel V. Agcaoili, member and spokesperson of the NDF panel and Ruth de Leon, executive director of NDF International Information Office.
Jose Ma. Sison, founding chairman of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and chief political consultant of the NDF panel was also present at the meeting.
Formal talks between the government and representatives of the armed communist movement in the Philippines bogged down in 2004.
NDF officials accused the Arroyo administration of refusing to work for the removal of the CPP and its armed wing New People’s Army from the terror listing made by United States and other countries.
The government of Norway assisted the government-NDF peace talks by acting as a third-party facilitator.
Madrigal said that as chairman of the Senate Committee on Peace, Unification and Reconciliation she will work for resumption of the formal talks.
"I shall form a Technical Working Group to assist in hastening the resolution of the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations for the purpose of enacting remedial legislation and to demonstrate that it is possible to produce agreements and actually use these to accelerate the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations," said the senator.
Madrigal also did not fail to recognize the difficulties that she may face in trying to jump start the talks that have been suspended for more than three years.
"I hope that the Arroyo administration and the hawks in the political and military establishment will not condemn me for engaging in treacherous talks with fellow Filipinos for the purpose of achieving peace," said Madrigal.
Madrigal had previously met with NDF officials in 2006 when she also inked a joint communiqué that had also called for the resumption of the suspended peace talks.
She reportedly earned the ire of government security officials for "sleeping with the enemy.
The neophyte senator however maintained her position.
"My intentions are clear – prevent further bloodshed and violence between Filipinos," said Madrigal. "There is no substitute for peace. The time to talk is now."
For its part, the NDF in a separate statement on the meeting with Madrigal
accused the government of "refusing to continue peace negotiations with the NDFP, ignoring demands from opposition political parties and the powerful Christian Churches in the Philippines. It has instead stepped up armed attacks against the territories of the New People's Army and the Communist Party of the Philippines, and unleashed paramilitary death squads against legal opposition parties and organizations."
The NDF also lauded Madrigal as "one of the leaders of the crusade against government corruption and a staunch promoter of social reforms in the Philippines."
With photos and a report from Loui Galicia, Europe News Bureau
SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=95775
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Dutch appellate court upholds Joma freedom
Dutch appellate court upholds Joma freedom
The Dutch Court of Appeals has upheld a decision to release Filipino communist leader Jose Maria Sison while he undergoes pretrial investigation, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau reported Wednesday.
The appellate court in the Hague favored the September 13 decision of a district court to free Sison, rejecting the appeal by the public prosecutor to detain the founding chairman of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) pending investigation.
Sison is under investigation by Dutch authorities on charges that he ordered the assassination of his two former comrades in the Philippines, Romulo Kintanar and Arturo Tabara, while living in the Netherlands.
According to prosecutors, Sison, 68, ordered the assassination of former New People’s Army (NPA) leader Kintanar on Jan. 23, 2003.
The murder was claimed by the NPA itself in an official publication, they said. Prosecutors are also investigating Sison’s role in the murders of Tabara and his son-in-law, Stephen Ong, on Sept. 26, 2006.
Tabara was a member of the highest command of the NPA and his assassination was also claimed by that group.
The appellate court said, "The prosecution file lacks enough concrete evidence to directly link Sison to the assassinations which is needed to prosecute him as a perpetrator.
"The ruling, however, does not preclude Sison from being prosecuted on murder charges. It only denied the prosecutor's request to keep someone in custody. It added that the public prosecutor's office will be the one to decide on whether or not to press charges.
The report said the appellate court’s decision was expected since prosecutors did not ask Sison to appear Wednesday before a panel of three judges at the Palace of Justice.
The report also said the absence of tight security in front of the justice hall was also unusual unlike in the previous three proceedings when authorities barricaded the entrance.
Sison's wife, Juliet, was the first to receive the favorable decision through a phone call from lawyer Michiel Pestman.
Sison was then at a Utrecht police station to fulfill part of a weekly requirement to report to the police.
The communist leader's weekly requirement to report to police officials is not related to his case but is a procedure by authorities to allow him to stay in exile the Netherlands.
At present, Sison is still an asylum seeker in the Netherlands.
Sison has been living in the Netherlands since 1987. He was arrested on August 28 this year in Utrecht.
With reports from Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau and AFP
SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryID=94511
The Dutch Court of Appeals has upheld a decision to release Filipino communist leader Jose Maria Sison while he undergoes pretrial investigation, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau reported Wednesday.
The appellate court in the Hague favored the September 13 decision of a district court to free Sison, rejecting the appeal by the public prosecutor to detain the founding chairman of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) pending investigation.
Sison is under investigation by Dutch authorities on charges that he ordered the assassination of his two former comrades in the Philippines, Romulo Kintanar and Arturo Tabara, while living in the Netherlands.
According to prosecutors, Sison, 68, ordered the assassination of former New People’s Army (NPA) leader Kintanar on Jan. 23, 2003.
The murder was claimed by the NPA itself in an official publication, they said. Prosecutors are also investigating Sison’s role in the murders of Tabara and his son-in-law, Stephen Ong, on Sept. 26, 2006.
Tabara was a member of the highest command of the NPA and his assassination was also claimed by that group.
The appellate court said, "The prosecution file lacks enough concrete evidence to directly link Sison to the assassinations which is needed to prosecute him as a perpetrator.
"The ruling, however, does not preclude Sison from being prosecuted on murder charges. It only denied the prosecutor's request to keep someone in custody. It added that the public prosecutor's office will be the one to decide on whether or not to press charges.
The report said the appellate court’s decision was expected since prosecutors did not ask Sison to appear Wednesday before a panel of three judges at the Palace of Justice.
The report also said the absence of tight security in front of the justice hall was also unusual unlike in the previous three proceedings when authorities barricaded the entrance.
Sison's wife, Juliet, was the first to receive the favorable decision through a phone call from lawyer Michiel Pestman.
Sison was then at a Utrecht police station to fulfill part of a weekly requirement to report to the police.
The communist leader's weekly requirement to report to police officials is not related to his case but is a procedure by authorities to allow him to stay in exile the Netherlands.
At present, Sison is still an asylum seeker in the Netherlands.
Sison has been living in the Netherlands since 1987. He was arrested on August 28 this year in Utrecht.
With reports from Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau and AFP
SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryID=94511
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
