“We condemn the Armed Forces of the Philippines and PNP [Philippine National Police] units for disregarding Roy Erecre’s NDFP Document of Identification, which he had in his possession upon the illegal arrest. We demand his immediate and unconditional release.” – National Democratic Front of the Philippines
By RONALYN V. OLEA
Bulatlat.com
MANILA – Another consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) was arrested by joint elements of police and military on May 7 in Bajada village, Davao City.
According to a statement sent through email by the NDFP, Roy Arboladera Erecre is currently detained at the Bohol district jail in Tagbilaran City.
The NDFP said Erecre is covered by the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (Jasig) with document of identification number ND978243 under the assumed name Vide Alguna. The NDFP stated that former GRP negotiating panel chairman Silvestre H. Bello III issued on April 20, 2001 a Letter of Acknowledgment to Erecre as an NDFP consultant for the Visayas. The Letter of Acknowledgment states: “The above named person is entitled to the safety and immunity guarantees (JASIG) for the duration of the peace negotiations. You are hereby required to facilitate the safe conduct and free passage of the above named person.”
“We condemn the Armed Forces of the Philippines and PNP [Philippine National Police] units for disregarding Roy Erecre’s NDFP Document of Identification, which he had in his possession upon the illegal arrest. We demand his immediate and unconditional release,” the NDFP said.
Under Jasig, which was signed by the government then called the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP, now GPH) and the NDFP, holders of documents of identification shall be immune from arrest, surveillance and any other form of attack.
“We hold the Aquino regime accountable for this latest gross violation of the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG),” the NDFP said.
Erecre is the 15th NDFP consultant to be detained. Before his arrest, NDFP consultants Benito Tiamzon and Wilma Austria were nabbed in Cebu and are now detained at the PNP Custodial Center, Camp Crame.
The NDFP maintained that the “continued refusal of the Aquino regime to comply with its obligations according to the JASIG and the Comprehensive Agreement of Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) is a big obstacle to the holding of peace negotiations between the regime and the NDFP.” 
