LAST year, when the Dutch court ordered the release of Joma Sison (for insufficiency of evidence) I commiserated with his victims and was among those who silently cursed both the Philippine and Dutch authorities for not doing their jobs right. But all that had changed with the perseverance and tenacity displayed by the Dutch prosecutors in seeking a just closure to the case against Joma Sison. They now deserve to be commended for their recent victory that allowed the continued investigation against the exiled CPP/NPA leader for ordering the assassination of former NPA comrades Kintanar and Tabara, among others.
While many of us experience day-to-day difficulties of trying to make ends meet and finding food to feed our children, Joma Sison wallows in the comfort of his home in Utrecht as his minions extort money from well-meaning businessmen in the countryside just to fund his lavish lifestyle. He should be charged too with economic sabotage for his endless efforts to lead an armed rebellion that is costing government much just to quell - funds that could have been used to deliver socio-economic services in the countrysides.
For some of us, Filipinos, who have given up hope seeing someone like Joma Sison being held responsible for his crimes against the people, this development would prove that there is hope in the justice system. Finally, the long arm of the law has caught up with someone who dared to break it with impunity. Thanks to the persistence of the Dutch government, our long search for justice and peace may soon be over. - EDDIE COLLANTES, Taguig, edcollantes@gmail.com

 

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