WATCH: NPA shows 2 abducted soldiers anew

From ABS-CBN (Oct 31): WATCH: NPA shows 2 abducted soldiers anew

The communist New People's Army (NPA) has released another video of two government soldiers the rebels abducted two months ago.

The 6-minute video showed NPA rebels with abducted soldiers PFC Marnel Cinches and PFC Jerrel Yorong, in a camp located in the mountains.

[Video report]

Yorong and Cinches did not speak in front of the camera in the latest video.

Allan Juanito, spokesperson of the North Central Mindanao Region, also gave a statement in the video.

Juanito said the government refused to grant the NPA's demand for a 10-day suspension of military operations (SOMO) in exchange for the safe release of the soldiers.

He said that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has launched operations to rescue the soldiers. He claimed that 7 armed encounters have resulted in 11 casualties on the side of the military.

He said clashes could have been prevented, and the soldiers freed, if the government granted their request.

Juanito said the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) reduced its request from a 10-day SOMO to 7 days.

He said that they will turn over the two soldiers to religious groups and peace negotiators if they get a release order from the NDFP.

Juanito said the soldiers are safe, and the NPA respects their rights.

"Most importantly, we hope the Aquino government will reciprocate to the National Democratic Front's gesture of sincerity for the resumption of peace talks through the release of the two POWs," he added.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/10/31/14/watch-npa-shows-2-abducted-soldiers-anew