The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) joins the Basque people in hailing the release of Basque party leader Arnaldo Otegi after more than six years of unjust imprisonment by the Spanish state. Arnaldo Otegi, in a speech in front of the prison where he was detained, declared to hundreds of Basque supporters, that he and his fellow political prisoners entered prison as advocates of independence and have come out as pro-independence activists; they came in as advocates of socialism and they are coming out as advocates of socialism.
This is a strong testimony of their firm standpoint for independence and socialism despite long years of imprisonment.
The NDFP joins the heroic Basque people in calling for an end of the dispersal policy of the Spanish and French states as a necessary step to achieve a just and lasting peace in the region.
Therefore, we firmly support the call of the Basque people: “Bring Basque Prisoners Home! Free Them All!”
The National Democratic Front of the Philippines represents the revolutionary Filipino people who have been waging a revolutionary struggle for national and social liberation for more than 47 years. The freedom fighters of the Philippines, including the more than 560 political prisoners, stand in firm solidarity with the Basque people in their struggle for independence and a just and lasting peace.
We join the Basque people in celebrating the release of Basque party leader, Arnaldo Otegi.
Long live the heroic Basque people and their struggle for independence
Long live their struggle for a just and lasting peace!
Long live the solidarity between the Basque people and the Filipino people!
LUIS G. JALANDONI
Chief International Representative
Member, National Executive Committee
National Democratic Front of the Philippines
