Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Eastern Mindanao Command says: 'No SOMO in Bukidnon'

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 9): Eastern Mindanao Command says: 'No SOMO in Bukidnon'

The Eastern Mindanao Command rejected on Tuesday the New People's Army (NPA) demand that a "suspension of military operations" (SOMO) be implemented in Bukidnon in exchange for the freedom of two soldiers it abducted last Aug. 22.

Capt. Alberto Caber, unit spokesperson, said that the abducted soldiers are from the 8th Infantry Battalion and identified them as Pfcs. Marnel Cinches and Jerrel Yurong.

Both were unarmed and in civilian clothes when abducted by the rebels while on their way to Barangay Buntungon, Impasug-ong, Bukidnon for a livelihood mission.

The NPA, through spokesman Allan Juanito, demanded for a SOMO as a condition for the release of the two soldiers.

Lt. Col. Lennon G. Babilonia, 8th IB commander, said that the joint military and police operations will continue in the province.

“Basically, we do not negotiate with terrorists," he stressed.

From 2010 to date, there were 21 kidnappings/abductions committed by the NPAs in Eastern Mindanao area.

Meanwhile, Eastern Mindanao Command chief Maj. Gen. Aurelio B. Baladad directed the concerned military unit commander in the area to continue its joint pursuit operations against the NPA members who were involved in the abduction of the two soldiers.

“These operations contribute to the peace and security of the people and its communities in the region," he said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=682001

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