Ceasefire a political decision: Military

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 16): Ceasefire a political decision: Military

The military on Thursday said that granting a ceasefire is an exclusive political decision of the President of the Philippines.

Capt. Patrick Martinez, spokesperson of the 4th Infantry Division here, issued the statement in response to the request of the National Democratic Front (NDF) for a 10-day ceasefire to allow the negotiation for the release of an Army soldier here to start.

Martinez said that the 4ID might endorse a request for a “stand down” of all military operations only in response to a formal request by the local government unit concerned or any interested third party who might be interested in negotiating for the release of the captive soldier.

Martinez, however, said that the 4ID would send the formal request to the General Headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for deliberations.

“Until the request is officially approved, the military will continue to conduct combat operations,” Martinez said.

Cesar Renerio, spokesperson of the NDF in North Central Mindanao Region, issued the statement regarding the rebel group's request for a ceasefire as the provincial government formed the Local Crisis Management Committee to coordinate for the release of the soldier.

The NPA rebels captured PFC Adonis Jess M. Lupeba, 26, of Iponan, Cagayan De Oro City, of the Army’s 58th Infantry Battalion, when the rebels laid siege to the hinterland village of Alagatan in Gingoog City last Saturday.

Renerio said that the NPA-Easternn Misamis Oriental-Northern Bukidnon Sub-regional Command, is now in the custody of the soldier.

He said that the NDF is willing to negotiate for the release of Lupeba at the earliest time during the duration of the ceasefire period in order that the safety of the prisoner and the third party committee would be ensured.

Renerio warned that any rescue or retrieval attempt by the military might compromise the personal safety of Pfc. Lupeba while he is under NPA custody.

“Again, the NPA reassures the family of Pfc. Lupeba and the general public that his rights as a POW are respected in accordance to provisions of the Geneva protocols and Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and the International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL),” Renerio said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=783510