3 top Reds granted provisional liberty to attend peace talks

The Supreme Court en banc granted provisional liberty to top communist leaders Satur Ocampo, Vicente Ladlad and Randall Echanis to allow them to attend peace talks with the government this month in Oslo, Norway.

In a resolution issued August 5, the high court stated: “The provisional liberty of Saturnino C. Ocampo, Randall B. Echanis, and Vicente P. Ladlad under their respective cash bonds is hereby confirmed.”

The court said the provisional liberty of communist leaders is only to allow them to participate in the formal peace talks in Oslo starting in August 2016 up to six months or “as soon as the peace negotiations are concluded or terminated, whichever is earlier.”

“Once their participation ceases or the peace negotiations are terminated, their respective bonds shall be deemed automatically canceled,” said the SC resolution.

READ: SC junks bid for release of NDF heads invited in Oslo talks

The released communist leaders posted cash bonds of P100,000 before the Office of the Clerk of Court of the Supreme Court.

The high court also directed them to provide the court with their complete contact information both in the Philippines and Norway.

At the same time, they were asked to report to the Philippine Embassy in Norway while the talks are ongoing in Oslo. CDG/rga

READ: Gov’t, Reds still willing to resume peace talks