NPA delays release of two soldiers after gov’t continues offensive vs. Reds

From GMA News (Apr 12): NPA delays release of two soldiers after gov’t continues offensive vs. Reds

The New People's Army has delayed the release of two soldiers who have been held captive in Sultan Kudarat since the government has yet to suspend police and military operations against the communist rebels in Mindanao.

NPA spokesperson Jose "Ka Oris" Madlos said Sgt. Solaiman Calucop and PFC Samuel Garay, who were captured in Columbia town last February 2, could have been set free in time for Easter Sunday.

"A turnover program set for yesterday was cancelled because continuing AFP and PNP operations put the safety of the POWs, their families and third party facilitators at risk," Madlos said in a press statement.

"The AFP and PNP, however, have stubbornly refused to heed the clamor for their units to stand down and suspend offensive operations to provide the opportunity for such a turnover," he added.

Calucop and Garay were two of the four prisoners of war named by the National Democratic Front, the political arm of the Communist Party of the Philippines, who will be released if the government heeds their call for a 10-day suspension of combat operations.

The NDF said the release of the POWs was in line with its commitment on February 19 as regards to the NPA's release of six uniformed personnel in their custody as a "positive gesture" for the fourth round of peace talks with the government which ended on April 6 in The Netherlands.

On March 25, the NPA released two of the six, namely CAFGU Active Auxiliary personnel Rene Doller and Carl Mark Nucos in Mati City, Davao Oriental.

Madlos said the continued offensive operations against the NPA only shows that the AFP and the PNP has "zero concern for the safety and welfare of their men who are in the custody of the NPA as well as for the third party facilitators who are helping arrange the release of the POWs."

"It is for the safety of the POWs that they are publicly turned over to the custody of third party facilitators who can serve to verify the treatment and respect of the rights of the POWs by the custodial unit in accordance with international conventions," Madlos said.

He added the POWs can be the subject of violence from groups who disparage the NPA if they are not released without the presence of a third party facilitator.

Madlos then renewed the Reds' call for the government to suspend offensive operations in Mindanao to pave the way for the release of the POWs.

"The NPA urges the GRP to order its military and police forces to stand down and suspend offensive operations in the areas to be identified by third party facilitators in order to pave the way for the safe and orderly release and turnover of the POWs," he said.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/606860/news/nation/npa-delays-release-of-two-soldiers-after-gov-t-continues-offensive-vs-reds