NDF consultants Benito, Wilma Tiamzon released on bail

MANILA, Philippines — Communist leaders Benito Tiamzon and his wife, Wilma, have been freed temporarily on Friday ahead of the formal peace negotiations in Oslo, Norway next week.

The Manila Regional Trial Court earlier granted bail to the Tiamzons. Each of them posted P100,000 bail for their temporary liberty.

"Sa kabuuan kami ay malaki ang tiwala na susulong at makakamit ang mga pagkakasundong pangkapayapaan para makamit ang mga repormang panlipunan," Benito told members of the press, based on a video posted by radio dzRH.

The Tiamzon couple were arrested by military and police personnel in Cebu on March 2014 over charges of murder and have been detained at the PNP headquarters at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

Wilma was secretary general of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army while Benito was chairman at the time of their arrest two years ago.

According to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the couple was arrested for the crimes against humanity including murder, multiple murders and frustrated murder.

Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella earlier said the Tiamzon couple are among those to be given "safe passage" by the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.

The Supreme Court had also granted provisional liberty for leftist leaders former Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo, Randall Echanis and Vicente Ladlad to attend the peace talks in Norway.

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