Sinabi ni Presidential Spokesperson at Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo na walang basehan ang pangamba ni Jalandoni.
“Mr. Jalandoni cites the pronouncement of Secretary of the Interior and Local Government Eduardo Año that he would be arrested. Such statement was made when the peace talks was cancelled by the President due to the violations of the ceasefire agreement by the communist rebels,” sabi ni Panelo.
Idinagdag ni Panelo na mismong si Pangulong Duterte na ang nagbigay ng basbas para sa informal talks sa pagitan ng gobyerno at ng mga lider ng NDF.
“Given that the President has opened a venue for informal talks with the NDF leaders to explore the possibility of resuming the peace talks, it goes without saying that no arrest shall be made during the days of informal talks,” ayon pa kay Panelo.
Nauna nang pinatigil ni Duterte ang usapang pangkapayapaan sa pagitan ng gobyerno at NDF matapos naman ang sunod-sunod na pag-atake ng New People’s Army (NPA).
“Mr. Jalandoni’s intention in returning to the country is to promote the peace talks between their movement and the Philippine governement, he is assured therefore that no arrest will be effected upon his person. To think otherwise is contrary to logic for certainly, a successful amicable discussion between the parties can not be expected when one party’s liberty is – or threatened to be – compromised,” giit ni Panelo.