AFP, Lacson dismiss NDF’s arrest order on Noy

MANILA, Philippines - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and a senator dismissed yesterday the National Democratic Front (NDF) indictment of former president Benigno Aquino III before a people’s court for alleged human rights violations relating to the bloody dispersal of protesting farmers in Kidapawan, North Cotabato that left two dead and scores injured last year.

Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla, AFP spokesman, said only recognized Philippine trial courts could try and judge persons accused of committing a crime.

“There is only one court under the Republic of the Philippines that can rightfully render judgment on anyone brought to its sala,” Padilla stressed in a news briefing in Camp Aguinaldo yesterday.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson, a former Philippine National Police chief, also described as illegal the NDF order to arrest Aquino, even as he called on the military and the police to protect the former chief executive.

The Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front, he added, are “by any definition, enemies of the state.” The NDF is the umbrella organization of all mainstream communist groups in the country while the CPP is its political arm and the NPA its armed wing.

On Saturday, the NDF-Southern Mindanao ordered its members to arrest Aquino and try him before a “people’s court” for “war crimes, crimes against humanity and other serious violations of international human rights law.”

It also listed North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza, Kidapawan City Mayor Joseph Evangelista, North Cotabato Rep. Nancy Catamco and other military and police officials for their specific roles in the dispersal of farmers who were asking for government assistance amid last year’s harsh El Niño weather phenomenon.

Padilla said the NDF order is “illegal and not honored” in the country as he gave assurance that the AFP will join other government units in protecting those on the rebel target list.

He added that as a former commander-in-chief and president, Aquino is entitled to protection by policemen and soldiers for as long as he lives. The security escorts, he also said, could be increased if requested, and depending on the level of threat.

Lacson said the rebels could be held criminally liable “if and when they perform such criminal act” – referring to the planned trial by people’s court.   – With Paolo Romero