DFA issues e-passports to freed NDFP leaders

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday said the freed leaders of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), including Benito and Wilma Tiamzon, had been issued electronic passports to allow them to attend the peace negotiations scheduled next week in Oslo, Norway.

DFA spokesperson Charles Jose told the Inquirer that more or less 10 e-passports had been issued to NDFP leaders based on information from the Office of the Consular Affairs.

“The NDFP leaders were already issued their passports,” said Jose in a text message Friday. “There are more or less 10 of them (NDFP leaders) including the Tiamzon couple who were issued e-passports.”

Earlier, the Supreme Court, acting on petition of the Office of Solicitor General, allowed the release of party-list Rep. Satur Ocampo and NDFP panel members Randall B. Echanis and Vicente P. Ladlad to attend the peace negotiations set on Aug. 22. The Manila Regional Trial Court issued the release order of the Tiamzon couple on Thursday.

The Supreme Court on Aug. 5 issued a resolution to release NDFP leaders to attend the peace talks in Norway. The high court resolution was based on an urgent manifestation made by the government through Solicitor General Jose Calida saying President Rodrigo Duterte already ordered the temporary release of several members of the NDF under the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees.