NDFP consultant Vic Ladlad arrested by police, says wife

The photo shows (from left, background) Vic Ladlad, Satur Ocampo, Rafael Baylosis and Randal Echanis. Police reportedly arrested Ladlad early Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

National Democratic Front of the Philippines consultant Vic Ladlad was arrested by the police, his wife Fides Lim claimed in a Facebook post on Thursday.

“My husband Vic Ladlad was arrested… based on a text I got,” Lim said.

Philippine National Police (PNP) Spokesperson Benigno Durana Jr. confirmed the arrest to INQUIRER.net, saying Ladlad was arrested over illegal possession of firearms.

“Yes, arrested with two others with their high powered firearms and explosives,” he said in a text message.

The PNP said Ladlad was captured in a joint operation by the police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Lim said Ladlad was arrested with a couple in Doña Tomasa in Barangay San Bartolome, Novaliches, in Quezon City

Human rights group Karapatan identified the two other arrested suspects as Alberto and Virginia Villamor.

Lim said the CIDG have also tailed her last week.

She said her husband needed medicines “badly” since he had chronic asthma that had degenerated into emphysema.

“Don’t plant any firearms or explosives on him,” she said.

Intensified attacks against human rights

Karapatan condemned the arrest amid the “intensifying attacks” against human rights in the country.

“We condemn the arrest of Ladlad and the Villamor couple, amidst the intensifying attacks against people’s rights and human rights in the Philippines. We deplore the widespread policy and practice of the Duterte regime of filing up trumped up charges against political dissenters,” the group said in a statement.

According to Karapatan, Ladlad’s arrest is a “direct and grave” violation of the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees, as with the arrest of other peace consultants of the NDFP.

It said NDFP consultants should be immune from arrests and detention and other harassments and attacks.

Karapatan likewise warned the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to not plant evidence against Ladlad and the two others, as it said they have “grown accustomed” to justify the arrest of peace advocates “based on trumped up criminal charges.” /cbb/muf

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