Duterte frees 20 political prisoners ahead of communist anniversary

President Rodrigo Duterte —MALACAÑANG PHOTO

MANILA — President Duterte has approved the release of at least 20 political prisoners ahead of the 48th anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) on Dec. 26, chief government negotiator and Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said Monday.

The President’s decision came after he previously announced he had rejected the demand of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, the CPP’s political arm, to set free some 130 detained communist leaders.

In an interview, Bello said Mr. Duterte would soon sign the order for the release of the political detainees before Christmas Day.

He said among those set to be freed were “elderly and sickly prisoners” based on humanitarian grounds.

The President had also agreed to pardon some of the political detainees while others would be released through “bail recognizance,” according to Bello. SFM