The Department of Justice (DoJ) is studying how the arrest warrant can be served to Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chairman Jose Maria “Joma” Sison who has secured asylum in The Netherlands.
“AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) sought the help of our International Legal Cooperation Unit on this matter,” revealed DoJ spokesman and Undersecretary Markk Perete.
Perete explained the DoJ’s International Legal Cooperation Unit handles extradition and mutual legal assistance concerns.
“We understand though that Mr. Sison has obtained asylum so they are studying what remedies to take given his status,” Perete said.
Presiding Judge Thelma Bunyi-Medina of the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 32 issued the arrest warrant on August 28 against Sison and 37 CPP members including his wife Juliet.
The others issued arrest warrants were Rodolfo Salas, Leo Velasco, Jose Luneta, Geronimo Pasetes, Prudencio Calubid, Luis Jalandoni, Sarmiento Eduardo, Francisco Pascual Jr., Mil Lominion, Fortunato Felicilda, Benjamin Beringel, Quirino Quinawayan, Fernando Rachel, Pecario Sonana, Jesus Solayao, Lino Salazar, Alfredo Taladro, Tito Gabar, Muco LUbong, Felix Dumali, Ciriaca Malimot, Luzviminda Orillo, Anselmo Balduhesa, Alfredo Mabingay, Bertino Oroza, Bonifacio Padoc, Rodrigo Papiona, Prescillono Beringel, Anastacio Dorias, Fr. Nick Cruz, Sammy Labarda, Charlie Fortaliza, Luis Villena, Rolando Caballera, Donata Lambrento, and Luz Abejo.
The 38 are facing 15 counts of murder in connection with the so-called “Inopacan massacre” in Leyte in 1985. (Jeffrey Damicog)