Philippine rebels ready to free 2 prisoners-of-war

From the Mindanao Examiner (Feb 17): Philippine rebels ready to free 2 prisoners-of-war

Communist rebels holding a captured government soldier and a policemen in the southern Philippines have declared a four-day unilateral truce in preparation for the safe release of the prisoners, the New People’s Army said Sunday.

It said the suspension of military offensives takes effect on February 19 in the towns of Kapalong, San Isidro, Asuncion, New Corella, all in Davao del Norte and Laak in Compostela Valley.

Rubi del Mundo, a rebel spokesperson, said the suspension of NPA offensives is in response to the decision of the National Democratic Front in Southern Mindanao to free Private First Class Jezreel Maata Culango, of the 60th Infantry Battalion, and Police Officer 1 Ruel Pasion who were captured separately on January 17 in Compostela Valley province.

“While on temporary ceasefire in the aforesaid areas, the NPA remains in active defensive posture against the enemy’s attack,” Del Mundo told the Mindanao Examiner, adding the Philippine Army should also reciprocate the truce to pave way for the early release of the prisoners.

Del Mundo said the NPA investigated the duo to determine whether they were involved in human rights abuses or anti-people military operations in the provinces.

“As an act of humanitarianism, the NDF deems it appropriate to archive the documentation pertaining to its preliminary investigation against the two POWs who were involved in the 60th Infantry Battalion and Philippine National Police's counter-revolutionary and anti-people military operations in Compostela Valley and Agusan boundaries,” Del Mundo said.

“The investigating body formed by the NDF found the two POWs to have committed lesser offenses, and thus recommended for their release. This, however, does not prevent the revolutionary forces from initiating future arrest against the two POWs should they be found to commit crimes against the people and other human rights abuses.”

There was no immediate statement from the military about the planned release of the prisoners, or whether the army would reciprocate the NPA truce.

The NPA, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, has been fighting for decades for the establishment of a separate state in the country.

http://www.mindanaoexaminer.com/news.php?news_id=20130217101219