The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) in Ilocos vehemently condemns the arrest of Simon “Ka Filiw” Naogsan, spokesperson of the Cordillera People’s Democratic Front (CPDF) in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte last October 21. As NDFP consultant for the peace process, his arrest violates the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG). As hors de combat, his detention violates his rights under the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and Comprehensive Agreement on Respect of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL).

Ka Filiw, 70 years old, is undergoing medication in Ilocos Norte as he is suffering from chronic kidney disease, uncontrolled hypertension, acute diabetes and osteoarthritis. He was supposedly in bed rest but operatives of the PNP-Regional Mobile Force Unit based in Ilocos Norte, at an unholy hour of dawn, drastically swarmed his sanctuary, arrested him and detained by the Ilocos Norte Provincial Police Office (INPPO), and later on turned-over at the Ilocos Sur Provincial Jail. Clearly, he is an hors de combat or incapacitated to participate in an armed conflict. And as provided by the International Humanitarian Law and CARHRIHL, Ka Filiw HAS THE RIGHT to be considered for freedom, safety and immediate adequate medical care.

The JASIG, signed in 1995, is a vital agreement of the NDFP and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP), that guarantees the safety of those involved or undertake roles in the peace process, for them to effectively take on such roles.

As spokesperson and representative of the CPDF, Simon Naogsan proposed and pushes for the inclusion of genuine autonomy and self-determination of the national minority people of Cordillera in the agenda of the NDFP in the peace negotiations with the GRP. He persists in fighting for the defense of Cordillera’s ancestral territory against the plunder of capitalist companies and the reactionary state, the protection of human rights against militarization and oppression, the respect of indigenous socio-political and cultural structure against several forms of infringement and discrimination of their tribe, and delivery of social services due for the neglected people of Cordillera.

The INPPO and the 5th Infantry Division Philippine Army (IDPA) boast of the arrest of Simon Naogsan, who according to them is a “top-ranking NPA communist-leader of Ilocos-Cordillera who faces seven cases of murder and 15 warrant of arrests.” Whatever these cases may be, they are all forged, based on his factual record and the legitimate task he assumes in advancing the interest of the Cordillera and entire Filipino people for self-determination, justice and freedom.

The AFP-PNP and NTF-ELCAC are viciously ardent in their crusade in crushing the national democratic revolution of the Filipino people, at the expense of transgressing human rights and international humanitarial law. Prior to Ka Filiw’s arrest, the Philippine Army captured three sick NPA Red fighters in Talifugo, Apayao on October 8, while on travel for medication. Ka Sam, Ka Tanya and Ka Annie were brought to a discreet place, interrogated and imprisoned at the Conner Municipal Police Station. They are charged of illegal possession of firearms, ammunition and explosives. These comrades were unarmed, but the fascist troops planted guns and explosives as false evidences against them. While suffering from their illnesses, they are put into mental torture by interrogations and exposing them to “surrenderees” dictated by by the intelligence forces of 503rd IBPA to incriminate them.

The NDF-Ilocos strongly denounces these acts of illegal arrest, detention and charging of trumped-up offenses to hors de combat revolutionary forces who are seeking medical attention, as these infringe their rights under the International Humanitarian Law and CARHRIHL. The unjust arrest and detention of Ka Filiw, Ka Sam, Ka Tanya and Ka Annie are yet vile schemes of the Marcos regime to impede the peace process, and avert the course towards very important socio-economic reforms crucial in achieving a just and lasting peace.

The NDF-Ilocos call for the IMMEDIATE RELEASE of Simon “Ka Filiw” Naogsan and the other three mentioned Red fighters and let them freely undergo medical attention, ensure their safety and dismiss all their trumped-up charges.