Alleged tailing of 2 NDF consultants sparks concern

COMMUNIST guerrilla leader Maria Concepcion Araneta-Bocala, aka “Concha,” in the hinterlands of Panay Island while taping an audio-video statement CONTRIBUTED FILE PHOTO

DAVAO CITY – A human rights group expressed concern over the alleged tailing of two consultants of the National Democratic Front (NDF) in Metro Manila on Sunday morning.

Karapatan said two men on a motorcycle were following NDF consultants Concha Araneta-Bocala and Ruben Saluta while they were on their way to NAIA Terminal 3 from Quezon City.

The human rights group said the men could be “state agents.”

“Araneta-Bocala and Saluta were released on bail last August to directly participate in the formal peace talks between the NDFP and GRP. Since then, they have initiated and attended consultations and forums on the GRP-NDFP peace talks,” Karapatan said.

All members of the panels and consultants from both the government and the NDF are granted security while performing their roles in the peace process under the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (Jasig). JE/rga