NSC: Released 85-year-old PDL not a political prisoner

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The National Security Council (NSC) on Tuesday said the 85-year-old Gerardo dela Peña, who was released from the New Bilibid Prison over the weekend, was not a political prisoner.

According to the NSC, Dela Peña was not convicted because of his political beliefs, nor was he detained in a discriminatory manner.

“We wish Mr. Dela Peña well but we also want to set the record straight,” said the NSC.

GMA News Online sought comment from the political prisoner support group  Kapatid but they have yet to reply as of posting time.

Kapatid previously said that Dela Peña was a former head of the Camarines Norte chapter of the Samahan ng Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto  (SELDA), a survivors’ group of those who were detained during the  Martial Law regime of the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

He was arrested on March 21, 2013 for murder.

Authorities said Malacañang commuted Dela Peña's sentence, which along with the  prisoner's good conduct time allowance paved the way for the release.

The NSC echoed the Department of Justice (DOJ), which said that Dela Peña was convicted of murder, which was a common crime.

“His conviction was not for a political crime which is aimed against the political order, as well as such common crimes as may be committed to achieve a political purpose,” the DOJ said.

According to the DOJ, the decisive factor is the intent or the motive.

“If a crime usually regarded as common, like homicide, is perpetrated for the purpose of removing from the allegiance ‘to the Government the territory of the Philippines Islands or any part thereof.’ then said  offense becomes stripped of its ‘common’ complexion,” the DOJ said. — DVM, GMA Integrated News

This article NSC: Released 85-year-old PDL not a political prisoner was originally published in GMA News Online.