Duterte urged: Be prudent on offer of Cabinet posts, amnesty to Reds

In this file photo, underground activists hold a tribute-march to Gregorio “Ka Roger” Rosal, the late spokesperson of the Communist Party of the Philippines on the day of the 47th anniversary of the New People’s Army, from Cubao, Quezon City to the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City, March 29, 2016. GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

Senators have cautioned presumptive President-elect Rodrigo Duterte about his plan to appoint communist rebels to his Cabinet and grant amnesty to all political prisoners, one saying he should be “very prudent and very deliberate” in his approach.

“While there is reason to be hopeful that the proposals to give the CPP/NPA (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army) at least four cabinet positions and amnesty to political prisoners would lead to the end of the decades old insurgency, we should be very prudent and very deliberate in our approach,” Senator Antonio Trillanes IV said in a statement on Wednesday.

“Do we really believe that Joma Sison will truly give up his communist aspirations? Would the political detainees to be given amnesty, like the Tiamsons, be swearing an oath of allegiance to our government and permanently lay down their arms?” said Trillanes, a former Navy officer.

The senator was referring to CCP’s top leaders—Sison and Benito and Wilma Tiamsons.

The government, he said, should lay down requisites to such a “generous offer.”

“Otherwise, Joma Sison and the communists might take advantage of this and use this freedom, power and influence to actually strengthen their forces to pursue their cause like what they did during the Cory Administration. We should learn from history,” Trillanes said.

Returning Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said the reported plan to grant amnesty to political prisoners should be treated with “guarded optimism.”

READ: General amnesty for Reds

“Every peace process especially with a five-decade old insurgency problem should start with good faith and goodwill. Nevertheless, we must look at this move with guarded optimism,” Lacson said in a text message.

“Having said that, there might be some legal nuances to consider. For one, most of the cases involving the political prisoners are pending with the different courts and therefore, under the jurisdiction of a co-equal branch of government which is the judiciary.”

“Assuming that we set that aside, a question might arise on how the cases involving soldiers and policemen allegedly committed in relation to their anti-insurgency operations will be treated,” he added.

Lacson headed the Philippine National Police during the time of then President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada.

Duterte earlier said he would open four Cabinet posts to the CPP —the Department of Agrarian Reform, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

READ: Duterte: 4 Cabinet posts open to Reds

While recognizing the President’s prerogative to choose his Cabinet members, Lacson and Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III pointed out that getting the confirmation of the powerful Commission on Appointments (CA) is another matter.

“It’s the President’s prerogative, his appointees are supposed to have his trust and confidence. But that’s just half of the story. The other half is the Commission on Appointments. Will they be confirmed? I do not know,” Sotto said.

Lacson said the choice of Cabinet members is the sole prerogative and authority of the President, however, they also have to pass the scrutiny of the CA.

“Having said that, those who would be appointed have to take their oath of office and they must swear to protect and defend the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines,” he said.

“Then the issue of the CPP/NPA/NDF not laying down their arms and abandoning their armed struggle to overthrow the duly constituted authority with the objective of taking over the government may have to be resolved first before they formally assume office,” Lacson added. RAM

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