Tiamzons to be released ahead of peace talks

MANILA, Philippines — More than two years after their arrest, New People's Army leader, Benito Tiamzon and his wife, Wilma, will be freed temporarily in time for the peace talks on August 20 to 27 in Oslo, Norway.

 

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Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said the Tiamzon couple would be among the personalities who would be given safe conduct passes by the Duterte administration.

 

"As far as I am concerned there will be some people who will be given safe passage," he said at a press briefing on Wednesday. 

 

"Apparently, as far as I know, they are included. I think they will be given safe passage," he added.

 

At the time of their arrest, Wilma was the secretary general of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) while Benito was the chairman. 

 

Asked if there would be a call for a ceasefire between the government and rebel group during the seven-day talks, Abella responded: "As far as I know the CPP-NPA-NDF (National Democratic Front of the Philippines) they will have their own ceasefire."

 

"Let's see, how it unfolds," he added.

 

Benito and Wilma were arrested by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel in Barangay Zaragoza in Aloguinsan, Cebu sometime on March 22, 2014. They are currently detained at the PNP headquarters at Camp Crame.

 

The couple was arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest for their crimes against humanity that include murder, multiple murders, and frustrated murder, the AFP said.