DILG eyeing special agreement with the Netherlands to extradite Sison

September 12, 2019

Interior Secretary Eduardo DAño on Thursday said he is eyeing a special agreement with the Dutch government for the extradition of Communist Party of the Philippines ( CPP) founder Jose Maria Sison on the grounds that his "refugee status" is no longer tenable due to his participation in the commission of crimes and other criminal acts as determined by the Manila Regional Trial Court which renders him "effectively ineligble".

"The grounds for the grant of such refugee status to Joma Sison no longer exist and should therefore be revoked," Año said in a statement.

He said though there is no bilateral extradition treaty between the Philippines and the Netherlands, it is possible to explore the possibility of transmitting this as a request to the Dutch government for mutual legal assistance (MLA) on criminal matters.

In 1992, Sison was recognized by the Netherlands as "political refugee" on the basis of his alleged persecution by the Marcos regime. Sison and his wife, along with other colleagues, fled to the Netherlands in 1987. 

Año claims Sison continues to direct his terrorist forces in the Philippines through public statements and issuances directing the New People's Army to kill and plunder in the countryside.

"This fact has been established when the United States, the European Union, and the Duterte administration declared the CPP/ NPA as a terrorist organization," he said.

The DILG chief said they are working with the EU to have Sison's refugee status be revoked as soon as possible.

He said the talks with the EU were positive and they committed to help the Philippine government.

"There is no need for The Netherlands to keep Sison when the Philippines and the EU itself said the CPP-NPA is a terrorist organization," he said.

"Meaning, Sison is a terrorist who doesn't need protection from any government," Año added.

He also told Sison that his days are now numbered as they are seeking the assistance of Interpol in issuing a red notice against him.

"We have referred the warrant issued by the Manila Regional Trial Court to Interpol for publication of a Red Notice which is defined as a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action," Año said in a statement.

"Once the Interpol publishes a Red Notice, Joma Sison becomes a wanted man all over the world," he added.

In a press briefing last Tuesday, the Philippine National Police said they are coordinating with the Interpol to issue a red notice as it serves as a valid request for provisional arrest.

The Manila RTC has recently issued a warrant of arrest against Joma, his wife and 35 other CPP-NPA members who are accused for the Inopacan, Leyte massacre.

Aside from calling the CPP-NPA leader a coward, Año told Sison he is hallucinating for claiming he is absolutely protected in his self-exile in The Netherlands.

"A criminal and a terrorist like him can never be considered as political refugee. A mass murderer can never be a political refugee. You are now exposed Joma, pay for your crimes in killing your own countrymen," he said.

"Your world is getting smaller... the day is near that you will face the sins you committed in the country and to the victims of Inopacan massacre," he said.

The DILG and the PNP have teamed up with the Department of Justice, Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Department of Foreign Affairs to arrest the other members found responsible for the Inopacan massacre after a mass grave was found in 2006. Ella Dionisio/DMS