CPP dangles release of 6 captives ahead of Feb. 22-27 bilateral cease-fire negotiations

From InterAksyon (Feb 19): CPP dangles release of 6 captives ahead of Feb. 22-27 bilateral cease-fire negotiations



NPA cadres simulate a firefight in file photo of the CPP's anniversary on Dec. 26, 2016. INTERAKSYON.COM FILE

Six captives of the New People's Army may be released " before or during" negotiations for a bilateral ceasefire agreement, assuming these proceed as scheduled on February 22-27 in The Netherlands, the Communist Party of the Philippines signalled on Sunday. The CPP issued the statement as pressure mounted for both sides to avert the slide to all-out war following President Duterte's move to scuttle peace talks.

The CPP identified the "prisoners of war" currently under NPA custody as:

1. PFC Edwin Salan, captured in Alegria, Surigao del Norte on January 29

2. Sgt.  Solaiman Calucop and

3. Pfc Samuel Garay, captured in Columbio, Sultan Kudarat on February 2

4. PO2 Jerome Natividad, captured in Talakag, Bukidnon on February 9

5. Paramilitary Rene Doller and

6. Paramilitary Carl Mark, captured in Lupon, Davao Oriental on February 14.

"As a positive gesture, the Party calls on all concerned NPA units to expedite the release of the six prisoners of war (POWs) captured over the past days. The NPA commands in charge of the custodial units can work closely with third party facilitators. The AFP can cooperate by withdrawing all troops in and around the area where the POWs will be released to pave the way for their safe and orderly release," said the CPP statement.

The fate of the Feb. 22-27 talks in The Netherlands remained uncertain, having been scheduled right after the third round of talks in Rome, and before President Duterte, angered by the killing of three soldiers in Bukidnon by NPA rebels, lifted the government's unilateral cease-fire. The day before, the Left also lifted its own unilateral cease-fire.

The lifting of the two camps' respective unilateral ceasefire declarations was quickly followed by an order by Duterte for all government negotiators to "pack up their tents" and return home; and the cancellation of the immunity guarantees for the negotiators from the Left.

Skirmishes in various parts of the country have since ensued, but several groups have been working overtime to get the peace talks back on track, especially since the Feb. 22-27 sessions had long been scheduled.

If Duterte decides to send his negotiating panel and emissaries to the upcoming scheduled talks between the ceasefire committees, negotiations for a bilateral ceasefire agreement can proceed as scheduled on February 22-27 in The Netherlands, the CPP said Sunday.

"To ensure success of the negotiations, the GRP can help facilitate the travel of the NDFP's ceasefire committee member and consultants," added the CPP statement.

"The Party and the New People's Army (NPA) reiterate their support for efforts to forge a bilateral ceasefire agreement. The revolutionary forces are encouraged by the previous statements of GRP President Duterte that all political prisoners will be released within 48 hours once the bilateral ceasefire agreement is signed.

"We anticipate that negotiations concerning the terms of reference of a bilateral ceasefire agreement will be most difficult. The revolutionary forces are bound by principle to assert the withdrawal of the AFP's operating troops from areas under the sway of the revolutionary government,"  said the CPP.

"However difficult, the revolutionary forces are willing to work with the GRPnegotiators to hammer out a bilateral ceasefire agreement that will be mutually acceptable and enforceable," it concluded.

"Assuming the cooperation of local AFP commands, all POWs can return to their families before or during the scheduled negotiations in The Netherlands," said the CPP.

The leftists quoted the government peace panel chair as saying Duterte is "obsessed with peace". If so, said CPP, "he can heed the people's clamor and reverse his earlier pronouncements terminating peace negotiations. The CPP earnestly encourages him to do so. He would surely not want to set aside the achievements attained during the first three rounds of GRP-NDFP peace talks and waste the opportunity to leave a legacy of peace."  

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/137151/cpp-dangles-release-of-6-captives-ahead-of-feb--22-27-bilateral-cease-fire-negotiations