National Democratic Front (Philippines)

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National Democratic Front is a coalition of far left leaning political parties, agricultural unions, trade unions, and other related groups in the Philippines. The front has controversial members, like the Communist Party of the Philippines, which has its own military wing, the New People's Army. The Communist Party of the Philippines calls its participation in the NDF the National United Front Commission.^[1]

[edit] Amnesty Proclamation

On September 5, 2007, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed Amnesty Proclamation 1377 for members of the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New People's Army; other communist rebel groups; and their umbrella organization, the National Democratic Front. The amnesty will cover the crime of rebellion and all other crimes "in pursuit of political beliefs," but not including crimes against chastity, rape, torture, kidnapping for ransom, use and trafficking of illegal drugs and other crimes for personal ends and violations of international law or convention and protocols "even if alleged to have been committed in pursuit of political beliefs." The National Committee on Social Integration (NCSI) will issue a Certificate of Amnesty to qualified applicants. Implementing rules and regulations are being drafted and the decree will be submitted to the Senate of the Philippines and the House of Representatives of the Philippines for their concurrence. The proclamation becomes effective only after Congress has concurred.^[2]

Jose Maria Sison may is liable under violations of articles 47, 48, 140, and 289, Dutch Penal Code but had not been arraigned on any charge.^[3]On September 13, 2007, however, National Democratic Front chief peace negotiator Luis Jalandoni, confirmed that Sison’s lawyer Michiel Pestman said that: “It appears that the president of the chamber made the decision and called [Pestman] to say that there’s no extension.” ^[4]Malacanang's National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales stated that it was surprised by the Dutch government’s decision to release Sison from jail.^[5]