COMMUNIQUE  

We, the undersigned,  hereby announce that the NDFP National Executive Committee has unilaterally approved the release from captivity of Brig. Gen. Victor Obillo, Capt. Eduardo Montealto, PNP Officer Roberto Bernal and Sgt. Alipio Lozada on high moral and humanitarian grounds. 

The NDFP Negotiating Panel declares that, in the exercise of the political authority of the NDFP,  the abovementioned prisoners shall be released on humanitarian grounds on the occasion of the year-long celebration of  the 30th anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines  and the New People’s Army. 

The release of General Obillo and Capt. Montealto who are presently under the custody of the local forces of the New People’s Army shall be effected anytime within the period from March 22, 1999 to April 19, 1999 as soon as a safe and orderly conduct of the release has been arranged, taking into paramount consideration the safety of the custodians, the captives and all those involved in the implementation of release.  The other captives shall be released on a similar basis and according to a similar procedure, preferably within the same period. 

The releases shall be made with the cooperation of the NDFP, the humanitarian mission led by Archbishop Fernando R. Capalla and, on her own account, Sen. Loren Legarda, as well as the International Committee of the Red Cross. 

On the part of the NDFP, it holds and maintains the position that the issue of prisoners of war is a necessary and appropriate subject in the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations and is within the purview of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) mutually approved by the Philippine Government and the NDFP.  A paper entitled “NDFP Position on the Prisoners of War and the GRP-NDFP Peace Negotiations” is appended hereto for reference. 

On the part of the humanitarian mission and Sen. Legarda, they express their deep appreciation to the NDFP for welcoming and responding positively to their appeal for release on high moral and humanitarian grounds.  At the same time, the mission and Sen. Legarda issue a call on all parties and sectors concerned to cooperate, assist and pave the way for the immediate, safe and orderly return of the officers to their waiting and anxious families and friends. 

The humanitarian mission and Sen. Legarda  also view the scheduled release of the military and police officers under the custody of the New People’s Army as a favorable factor in the resumption of the formal meetings of the peace negotiations as it hereby issues a call on both the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) to take the necessary and appropriate steps in the pursuit of a just and lasting peace for the sake of all peace-loving Filipinos. 
 
The NDFP Negotiating Panel responds immediately that there is no problem about resuming the formal meetings of the peace negotiations if the GRP respects the bilateral agreements already made with the NDFP and goes back to the status quo ante the so-called suspension of the safety and immunity guarantees. 

Done in Utrecht, The Netherlands, March 17, 1999: