MANILA: The Philippines has freed 12 communist guerrilla leaders, police said on Thursday, days before a new round of peace talks with the Maoist-led rebels resumes in Norway to end nearly five decades of conflict that has killed more than 40,000 people.
New President Rodrigo Duterte has a reputation as an implacable and ruthless enemy of drug traffickers but he came to power after winning a May election promising to negotiate the end of long-running insurgencies.
Talks brokered by Norway between the government and the rebels’ National Democratic Front stalled in 2012 over the refusal of the government to free communist leaders who had been in jail for decades.
National police chief Ronald dela Rosa told reporters the temporary release of the 12 by courts was a consequence of the president’s peace offer and was “one of the most positive developments” in years.
“They were only allowed to post bail,” he said. “But they continue to face criminal cases in courts.”
Renato Reyes, secretary-general of the left-wing Bayan (Nation) group, which is allied with the communist movement, said the releases boded well and raised hopes the talks would begin on Aug. 22 “on a positive note.”
Among those freed were Adelberto Silva, Concha Araneta Bocala, Alan Jazmines and Tirso Alcantara.
Alcantara, one of the country’s highest ranking guerrilla leaders, was wounded in a firefight with soldiers five years ago.
The rebels’ top leaders, Benito Tiamzon and his wife, Wilma, are still in prison. Activists are holding a protest outside the national police office on Friday to demand the release of them and six others senior guerrilla commanders.
Leftist lawmakers and human right advocates said the government is holding more 500 rebels in detention.
(Reporting by Manuel Mogato)
Philippines frees communist leaders before peace talks in Norway
Philippines frees communist leaders before peace talks in Norway
Kremlin says Putin is mediating in Iran to normalize situation
- Putin had then been briefed by Pezeshkian in a separate call on what the Kremlin called Tehran’s “sustained efforts” to normalize the situation inside Iran
MOSCOW: President Vladimir Putin is mediating in the Iran situation to quickly de-escalate tensions, the Kremlin said on Friday, after the Russian leader spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Moscow has condemned US threats of new military strikes after Iran acted against protests that broke out late last month.
Putin in his call with Netanyahu expressed Russia’s willingness to “continue its mediation efforts and to promote constructive dialogue with the participation of all interested states,” the Kremlin said, adding he had set out his ideas for boosting stability in the Middle East.
No further details were given on Putin’s mediation attempt.
Putin had then been briefed by Pezeshkian in a separate call on what the Kremlin called Tehran’s “sustained efforts” to normalize the situation inside Iran.
“It was noted that Russia and Iran unanimously and consistently support de-escalating
the tensions — both surrounding Iran and in the region as a whole — as soon as possible
and resolving any emerging issues through exclusively political and diplomatic means,” the Kremlin said.
Putin and Pezeshkian had confirmed their commitment to their countries’ strategic partnership and to implementing joint economic projects, the Kremlin added.
Separately, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which includes Russia, China, India, and Iran, among others, said it opposed external interference in Iran and blamed Western sanctions for creating conditions for unrest.
“Unilateral sanctions have had a significant negative impact on the economic stability of the state, led to a deterioration in people’s living conditions, and objectively limited the ability of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to implement measures to ensure the country’s socio-economic development,” the SCO said in a statement.
Protests erupted on Dec. 28 over soaring inflation in Iran, whose economy has been crippled by sanctions.
Asked what support Russia could provide to Iran, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “Russia is already providing assistance not only to Iran but also to the entire region, and to the cause of regional stability and peace. This is partly thanks to the president’s efforts to help de-escalate tensions.”
The US Treasury on Thursday announced new sanctions targeting Iranian officials, including Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme Council for National Security.
