(Eagle News) — The Philippine National Police on Thursday, Nov. 8, clarified Vic Ladlad and two others were arrested for illegal possession of firearms and not because they were affiliated with the Communists.
“They cannot hide behind the (Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantee) or any similar agreements because they violated the law, plain and simple,” PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde said.
Apart from Ladlad, Alberto and Virginia Villamor, were arrested on Thursday in San Bartolome, Novaliches, Quezon City after the police seized grenades and rifles from the three during their implementation of a court-issued search warrant.
The JASIG guarantees immunity for all those involved in the peace talks.
In 2017, however, Peace Secretary Jesus Dureza said JASIG was no longer in effect since President Rodrigo Duterte terminated peace talks with the rebels.
“It just did happen that Vicente Ladlad is a member of the (National Democratic Front). This has no political color. We arrested them for a crime, and possession of these firearms could be used in furtherance of violence,” Quezon City Police District director Jose Esquivel said.