31 July 2015
The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) vigorously condemns the illegal arrest of JASIG holder, Ernesto Lorenzo last 20 July 2015 at the IT Center in Gilmore, Quezon City. He was arrested by combined elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Gourp (CIDG), the Philippine National Police and the Anti-Transnational Crime Unit (ATCU).
Ernesto Lorenzo has been issued NDFP Document of Identification No. ND 978229 under the assumed name Lean Martinez. He has likewise been issued a Letter of Acknowledgment signed by then GRP Panel Chairperson Silvestre H. Bello III.
Despite his request, he was not shown any warrant of arrest. His request to call a lawyer was also denied. After interrogation at Camp Crame, he was turned over to the Anti-Organized Crime Unit – CIDG.
Seized from Ernesto Lorenzo were the following: his backpack, 2 cellphones, 1 android phone, 3 USB, 1 hard drive, a brand new Neo computer, P 35,000 in cash and an ATM card.
About the same time Ernesto Lorenzo was arrested (2 p.m.), his wife Joyce Latayan was arrested at their home at Pecson Ville, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan. About 50 military men in civilian clothes raided the house, causing shock to the Lorenzos’ one year old daughter Julie Alicia.
The raiding team made a search on the second floor of the house, without the presence of Joyce Latayan. As is the standard operating procedure of the state security forces, they planted a handgun and a rifle grenade. This became their so-called evidence for filing trumped up charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives against Ernesto Lorenzo and Joyce Latayan. Joyce Latayan was also brought to Camp Crame and detained at the Major Crimes Investigation Unit (MCIU) – CIDG.
Ernesto Lorenzo suffers from asthma, hepatitis B, gallstones and a slip disc. One week after their arrest, Ernesto Lorenzo and Joyce Latayan have not been seen by a doctor of choice.
The NDFP demands the immediate release of JASIG holder Ernesto Lorenzo and his wife Joyce Latayan. The trumped-up criminal charges against them must be dropped. All materials illegally confiscated from them must be returned to them. The government of Aquino must show respect for and comply with the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) and all other binding peace agreements solemnly contracted with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.
LUIS G. JALANDONI
Chairperson, NDFP Negotiating Panel
