72-hour SOMO offer for release of seized cops stays, says Surigao del Norte gov

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 25): 72-hour SOMO offer for release of seized cops stays, says Surigao del Norte gov

The three days or 72-hour suspension of military and police operations (SOMO) for the release of the four police personnel abducted by rebels will stay, says Surigao del Norte Gov. Sol Matugas.

Matugas is also the chairperson of the local crisis management committee working for the release of the four policemen seized by rebels when they raided the Alegria Municipal Police Station, Alegria, Surigao del Norte on July 10.

The four policemen were on their way to conduct barangay visitation and police community relations activity in a hinter village, when they chanced upon the blocking force of the main attack force of the rebels that attacked the police station.

Matugas said during the radio interview that the 72-hour SOMO is considered a reasonable period by the local crisis management committee in order to release the four policemen who are believed to be kept by the rebel custodial force at this time.

“The committee has already stretched so much after considering all the aspects of security and safety of the POWs and their keepers,” Matugas said after extending their offered period from a 24-hour SOMO to three days.

Matugas added that she cannot decide on the demand of the National Democratic Front (NDF) to include the municipalities of Jabonga, Kitcharao and Santiago as areas to be included in the SOMO as the said towns do not belong to her province. She hoped for understanding on the side of the NDF and to release early the policemen for the sake of their families waiting for them.

Earlier, the NDF through its spokesman George Madlos a.k.a. “Ka Oris” announced through a press statement that they may release the policemen today, July 25, through a third party facilitator had an agreement been reached on the conditions set by them on the release of the POws.

The NDF pressed for an eight-day SOMO which was reduced to a week and later on to six days.

The four policemen - PO3 Vic C. Concon, PO1 Rey O. Morales, PO1 Joen B. Zabala and PO1 Edito F. Roquino are still at the hands of the rebel custodial force. The local crisis management committee chaired by Matugas is exerting all efforts for their early and safe release.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=666210