No let-up vs Reds

Sison’s forced repatriation still a possibility.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is exerting all efforts to locate several individuals with links to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) after a Manila court issued an arrest order against them.

PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said in a press briefing at Camp Crame that they are determining if the leftist leaders are still in the country.

As for CPP founding leader Jose Maria Sison, Banac said they have already coordinated with their counterparts in the International Police (Interpol) to effect his arrest.

“Yes, this is part of our standard procedure to inform our counterparts abroad with regards to people or Filipinos who have standing warrants of arrest,” Banac told reporters.

He cited the need to also inform the respective countries where the CPP leaders have sought refuge that they may pose threats to the security of said nations.

“The whole PNP is here to meet whatever information that we get to determine the whereabouts of each one of them and we will immediately conduct the serving of the warrant to whoever we will find,” Banac said.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) last week expressed elation over the issuance of a warrant of arrest for Sison, his wife and 36 others in relation to the mass murder of 300 residents in Leyte suspected as government spies.

Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 32 Judge Thelma Bunyi-Medina has recommended no bail for all of the accused.

AFP spokesman Marine Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, said the issuance of a warrant against Sison and his “cohorts” only proves that the “wheels of justice” is moving in the country.

“We are elated as the victims’ families are for the issuance of arrest warrant by the court against Mr. Jose Ma. Sison, his wife, and 36 others for the mass murder by the NPA of people who were suspected of being government spies that claimed the lives of about 300 residents in Leyte province in a purging activity infamously dubbed by the NPA as ‘Oplan Venereal Disease,’” Arevalo said.

“This is a crime against humanity. Though it’s too early to claim victory, we are happy for the Filipino people — especially for the families of the victims of this heinous crime — because the wheels of justice shall begin to grind,” he added.

Arevalo, at the same time, said that the AFP is firm in their resolve to hunt down the “terrorists who perpetrated the dastardly, cowardly, and devilish acts to serve the warrant and arrest them.”

“We are as devoted as other agencies of government are in bringing them before the bar of justice and to answer for this crime that is most painful for the bereaved families of the victims who continue to live in day-to-day anguish,” Arevalo said.

As for the likes of Sison who are outside the country, Arevalo said they may not be able to serve the warrants right away as they are outside their jurisdiction, but that they are not without recourse.

“We will coordinate with the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Justice, the International Police and other relevant agencies for the service of the warrant of arrest or other legal recourse available,” Arevalo said.

“We are sure that the long arm of the law will soon catch up on Mr. Sison and his cohorts,” he added.