NDF submits list of peace consultants

MANILA, Philippines -  The communist National Democratic Front (NDF) has submitted its list of consultants and personalities participating in the peace talks with the Philippine government.

Government peace panel member Angela Librado-Trinidad said the list was submitted and deposited with the Netherlands government facilitating the peace negotiations between the NDF and the Philippine government.

The NDF is representing the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army in the peace talks.

According to Trinidad, the NDF submitted the list in an encrypted USB drive and SD card containing the real names and photographs of the rebels.

The rebels are still underground and would only surface to participate in the peace talks as consultants and would be free from arrest under the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantee (JASIG).

Trinidad said the rebel leaders who have already surfaced and are participating in the peace negotiations have also been included in the list.

She said the JASIG-covered rebel consultants were issued letters of authority by government panel chair Silvestre Bello III, which they should present to security officials in case they are held or arrested.

Government panel member Hernani Braganza explained the deposit is part of the JASIG verification and process of validating the identities of the rebels who are using aliases.