Iglesia says army to stand down for captive's safe release

From the Sun Star-Cagayan de Oro (Feb 24): Iglesia says army to stand down for captive's safe release

IGLESIA Filipina Independiente bishop Felixberto Calang said the 4th Infantry Division (4ID) of the Philippine Army is open to suspending military operations or to issuing a stand-down order to soldiers when captive Police Officer 2 Anthony Natividad is released by the New People’s Army (NPA).

 

"Actually, we already had meetings with Major General Benjamin Madrigal, the 4ID commander, where he agreed to suspend temporarily their operations where Natividad will be freed," Calang said. 

 

Calang added that the NPA asked for a stand-down order on where Natividad will be released.

 

Captain Krisnen Peter Sarsagat, 4ID acting spokesperson, said negotiations are still ongoing but said they are open to granting the request of the third party facilitators but with the guidance from Army higher headquarters.

 

"We will let the crisis management committee decide for that proposal and we will also be guided from higher headquarter for the suspension of military operations. As of now ongoing pa ang negotiation (negotiation is ongoing) but we are grateful for the efforts of the third parties for the benefit of releasing the captives," he said.

 

Sarsagat said they remain in condemning the atrocities by the NPA rebels, such as holding captive law enforcement officers.

 

Ka Cesar Renerio, spokesperson of the National Democratic Front-North Central Mindanao Region said they are "very eager" to start the negotiations and fast-track the release of Natividad. Renerio also assured Natividad's family that he is safe and well-taken care of.

 

"Among ipasalig kanila ang maayo namong pag-atiman kaniya subay sa mga lagda sa Geneva Conventions kalabot sa mga lagda paglunsad og pakiggubat ug sa bag-o palang naoperasyunalisa nga Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, (We guarantee that he is being treated well and in accordance to both the Geneva Conventions and the newly operational Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law),” Renerio said.

 

Renerio added that they also empathize with the longing of the families of their detained colleagues who have been in the prison for trumped up criminal charges.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/local-news/2017/02/24/iglesia-says-army-stand-down-captives-safe-release-527760