AFP thumbs down CPP-NPA swap deal for release of 4 cops

From the Daily Tribune (Jul 18): AFP thumbs down CPP-NPA swap deal for release of 4 cops

The military yesterday rejected a call by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) for the Army to stop operations in exchange for the release of four policemen being held as captives by the Reds.

Maj. Gen. Ricardo Visaya, commander of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division (ID), said the communist group can free the cops without any condition if they are sincere.

“There will be no stop in our operations. We will continue with our operations without letup,” Visaya said.

“If they want to release the policemen, they can do it without condition,” he added.

Capt. Alberto Caber, spokesman of the military’s Eastern Mindanao Command, said that the CPP/NPA’s Northeastern Mindanao Regional Party Committee is calling for the stoppage of security operations in Surigao for the freedom of the four policemen.

Visaya theorized that the NPAs are currently feeling the pressure from the government security forces in the provinces of Surigao and Agusan.

“They are being pinned down and they don’t want to be caught by our operating troops. For us, they committed very serious criminal act,” Visaya said.

Presently, Visaya said that three military battalions are operating against the NPAs in Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Norte provinces.

The NPA last week attacked the Alegria Municipal Police Station, carting away high-powered firearms and took as captives PO3 Vic Concon, PO1 Rey Morales, PO1 Joen Zabala and PO1 Edito Roqueno.

Subsequent pursuit operations launched by combined police and military forces resulted in the killing of two NPA rebels.

Only on Tuesday, a high-ranking NPA leader was killed, along with 12 of his fighters, during an encounter in Agusan del Sur. The slain communist commander was Joseph Tajora Cainong, also known as Malik and Alas, Secretary of Guerilla Front 8.

Cainong was the leader of the 70-man NPA band that attacked the residence of Datu Calpito Egua in Barangay Sta Irine in Prosperidad last Friday. The attack resulted in the death of 12 NPA rebels and four tribesmen who also serves as security of Datu Calpit.

A series of encounter ensued when fleeing rebels encountered a blocking force from the Army’s 3rd Special Forces Battalion in nearby Barangay Hamugaway. One NPA was killed and one high-powered firearm was recovered from the encounter.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/afp-thumbs-down-cpp-npa-swap-deal-for-release-of-4-cops