Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison should come home and face the music after a Manila court ordered his arrest for murder, Malacañang said yesterday.
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said the Palace respects the latest court decision and supports the quest of justice by the families of the victims.
“Mr. Sison should unchain himself from his exile and face the music. His illusive if not illusory dream of wresting political power from the present dispensation should give way to a principled and courageous stand to face trial,” he said. “He is welcome to come home to avail of his constitutional right to confront his accusers and prepare for his defense,” he added.
A Manila court has ordered the arrest of Sison, his wife Juliet, and several others for the alleged mass killings in Leyte dubbed as the “Inopacan Massacre.” Sison and his wife have been living in exile in the Netherlands since 1987.
Panelo assured that Sison and the others will have their day in court.
“Like in any other case pending before any court of law, the Office of the President respects the decision of Presiding Judge Thelma Bunyi-Medina in relation to the mass purging brought about by the armed wing of the CPP, the New People’s Army, in the 80s,” he said.
“The law is no respecter of any transgressor and prosecution therefor must proceed in accordance thereof. Mr. Sison, et al. will have their day in court,” he said.
He said the government is one with the families of the victims “in calling for justice.” “The warrant of arrest shall be served as directed upon us by the Judiciary,” he added. (Genalyn Kabiling)
