Manila: The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) announced on Wednesday that the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) is no longer valid, countering claims by the communist movement that the agreement is still in effect. This statement comes in response to accusations that the recent arrest of three high-ranking officials from the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) breached the JASIG.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Legal Cooperation Cluster of NTF-ELCAC clarified that the Philippine government officially terminated the JASIG on February 7, 2017. This termination was enacted through a written notice following repeated violations by the CPP-NPA, which included acts of violence such as killings and assaults. The arrests of the officials were conducted based on standing warrants issued by courts with appropriate authority.

NTF-ELCAC emphasized that although JASIG had provided negotiators and consultants involved in peac
e talks with immunity from arrest, this immunity did not extend to actions that contradicted the objectives of the peace negotiations. The task force reiterated that the JASIG was intended to create an environment of trust for dialogue, not to shield individuals from accountability for serious crimes.

The NTF-ELCAC further urged the public to remain vigilant against those who aim to instill fear and distrust in the government, emphasizing the importance of upholding justice, peace, and unity in the Philippines. The task force declared that allegiance should always support the advancement of justice and the country’s well-being.