More than a month after the arrest of Rogelio Posadas, the New People’s Army Roselyn Pelle Command has issued a statement condemning strongly his apprehension, claiming he is a National Democratic Front security officer.

Ka Cecil Estrella, spokesperson of the Roselyn Pelle Command re-echoed in a statement it issued, the claim of NDFP negotiating panel chairperson Luis Jalandoni that Posadas should not be arrested, because he has immunity from arrest, as a JASIG (Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees) conduct pass holder, and as a legitimate NDF security officer.

Posadas, who is claimed by the military to be the secretary of the Northern Negros Guerilla Front, was apprehended at a checkpoint on January 9 in San Carlos City, by virtue of an arrest warrant for murder.

Estrella said NDF consultants and security officers, including Posadas, have been going around Negros island to consult victims of land-grabbing.

He also demanded the release of Posadas and others whom she called “political detainees,” and for the Aquino government to answer all alleged human rights violation it has committed.

Both Col. Jon Aying, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, and Senior Supt. Milko Lirazan, provincial police director of Negros Occidental, said that Posadas also has pending arrest warrants for homicide and robbery-in-band.

Posadas has joined other arrested rebel leaders detained at various jails of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Negros Occidental.

Aying said it is up to the court to decide on the case of Posadas.

The NDFP had been engaged in peace negotiations with the government for the past 27 years, but the of-and-on talks have not moved beyond minor agreements.*GPB

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