NPA demands truce for release of soldiers captured in Bukidnon

From InterAksyon (Sep 8): NPA demands truce for release of soldiers captured in Bukidnon



Image grabbed from a video posted on the NDF website, http://www.philippinerevolution.net/, showing Pfcs Marnel Cinches and Jerrel Yorong in NPA captivity

Communist rebels said on Monday they are prepared to release two soldiers they had captured in Bukidnon province but demanded a 10-day suspension of military and police operations in a number of towns and cities in Bukdinon and Misamis Oriental.

In a statement written in Bisaya, Ka Allan Juanito, spokesman of the New People’s Army’s North Central Mindanao Regional Command, said the release of Privates First Class Marnel Tagalugon Cinches and Jerrel Hapay Yorong, both of the Army’s 8th Infantry Battalion, had been ordered by the National Democratic Front.

The NDF is the umbrella organization of groups led by the Communist Party of the Philippines and represents the rebels in peace talks with government.

Juanito said the release was both a “humanitarian” response toe appeals by the soldiers’ families and a goodwill measure toward the resumption of negotiations.

Earlier, the rebels said guerrillas under the NPA’s South Central Bukidnon Sub-Regional Command had captured the soldiers late in the afternoon of August 22 in Buntungon, Impasug-ong, Bukidnon.

The rebel statement sought a 10-day cessation of government operations, from midnight of September 20 to midnight of September 20, in San Fernando, Cabanglasan, Malaybalay City, Impasug-ong, Manolo Fortich and Malitbog in Bukidnon; and Claveria, Balingasag and Gingoog City in Misamis Oriental.

Once this is declared, he said, the NPA would declare its own suspension of offensive operations.

He said the NPA custodial unit would then inform “third-party facilitators” composed of government officials, religious, media, peace advocates and human rights groups, to whom they will turn over the captives, of the date and place of the release.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/94975/npa-demands-truce-for-release-of-soldiers-captured-in-bukidnon