MANILA: Philippine President Benigno Aquino Friday ordered the release of 43 people accused of being communist rebels, saying their rights had been violated during nearly a year in detention. Aquino's announcement came after the 43 detainees began a hunger strike last week to publicize their cause, and communist leaders demanded their release ahead of a planned resumption of peace talks next year. “We recognize (the suspects') right of due process was denied them. As a government that is committed to the rule of law and the rights of man, this cannot stand,” Aquino said in a speech to mark international human rights day. Communist rebels have been waging a rebellion in the Philippines since 1969, with the conflict claiming thousands of lives. The military and police had insisted that the 43 suspects, arrested in the town of Morong in February allegedly in possession of firearms and explosives, were rebels undergoing a training session. However the detainees, who became popularly known as the “Morong 43”, insisted they were just health workers undergoing medical training. Aquino said suspicions that they were communist rebels were “valid concerns”, but their legal rights were denied during their arrest and detention. Aquino said the 43 were being released in line with his government's commitment to human rights, emphasising the group had been arrested when his predecessor, Gloria Arroyo, was still in power. “For the first time in decades, we have a government that is serious about human rights. The culture of silence, injustice and impunity that once reigned, is now a thing of the past,” he said. Aquino assumed the presidency in June after winning national elections by a landslide. He has repeatedly accused Arroyo of corruption and many other forms of misrule. Following Aquino's announcement, national police spokesman Senior Superintendent Agrimero Cruz defended the handling of the case. – Agence France
