Bayan Muna slams ‘unjust’ arrest of NDFP consultant

Progressive leaders of Bayan Muna party-list have denounced the “unjust” arrest of National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) peace consultant Vic Ladlad for supposedly carrying “high-powered guns”– a claim the group slammed as “highly suspicious.”

On Wednesday night, the National Capital Region Police Office arrested Ladlad and couple Alberto and Virginia Villamor in Novaliches, Quezon City. Authorities said they seized high-powered guns from them.

READ: PNP confirms arrest of NDFP consultant Vic Ladlad

READ: NDFP consultant Vic Ladlad arrested by police, says wife

But Bayan Muna chair and former Rep. Neri Colmenares and Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate have accused the state forces of “planting” these pieces of evidence to pin down Ladlad.

“It seems that state agents are now trying to replace farmers. Dati tanim bala lang ngayon todo na ang tanim baril at explosives para ikulong ang mga kritiko ng rehimeng Duterte. Dapat na nila itong tigilan at ituloy naman ang usapang pangkapayapaan,” said Colmenares.

Colmenares also warned that arresting NDFP peace consultants would have a “negative impact on the peace process” and “reflects the (in)sincerity of the Duterte administration.”

Zarate meanwhile said guns and explosives may have been planted on Ladlad and his companions to “unjustly pin them down.”

“The so-called guns and explosives taken are highly suspicious, and, we presume that these may have been planted again to unjustly pin them down,” he said.

Just last September, the House committee on peace, reconciliation, and unity approved House Resolution 2065 which calls for the resumption of the foiled peace negotiations between the government and the NDFP.

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But apparently Malacañang is deaf to the demands of the people?” Zarate said.  /muf