CPP to release 4 more captives, urges gov't troops in 3 Mindanao provinces to 'stand down'

From GMA News (Mar 26): CPP to release 4 more captives, urges gov't troops in 3 Mindanao provinces to 'stand down'

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) has asked police and military units in three provinces in Mindanao to "stand down" for the release of four "prisoners of war."

The CPP made the call in its statement released on Saturday, where it announced that it will revive its unilateral ceasefire "not later than March 31."

The communist party said the four captives are set to be released by the New People's Army (NPA) in Surigao del Sur, Sultan Kudarat and Bukidnon.

"Their releases are being impeded by ongoing military and police operations in the area. The CPP urges the local commands of the AFP and PNP to stand down and coordinate with third-party facilitators to pave the way for the releases," it said.

Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said they will await instructions from President Rodrigo Duterte before heeding the CPP's request.

"We will await instructions from the Commander-in-Chief," Padilla told GMA News Online.

For his part, Philippine National Police spokesperson Sr. Supt. Dionardo Carlos said the police force welcomes “the efforts of the NPA to release of the hostages as a gesture to move forward the peace process.”

The military and the police resumed operations against the NPA after Duterte lifted the government's ceasefire declaration and suspended the peace talks last February.

Earlier this month, Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza announced from that the government's talks with the communist rebels are "back on track again."

Dureza made the announcement after a meeting with representatives from the National Democratic Front in Utrecht in The Netherlands last March 11.

On Saturday, the NPA said it released two members of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) on Friday.

The Philippine Army's 10th Infantry Division confirmed the release of CAFGU Active Auxiliary personnel Rene Doller, 34, and Carl Mark Nucos, 24.

The two CAFGU members were brought to the 701st Infantry Brigade in Mati City.

Batchar said the Army "welcomes the safe return" of Doller and Nucos. Batchar said the two were abducted by about 30 NPA rebels last February 14 in Barangay Don Mariano in Lupon town following an armed encounter in Barangay New Visayas with the 28th Infantry Battalion.

The NPA rebels flagged down the kidnap victims who were separately riding motorcycles and wearing civilian clothes. The rebels burned the motorcycle of Doller before fleeing.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/604687/news/regions/cpp-to-release-4-more-captives-urges-gov-t-troops-in-3-mindanao-provinces-to-stand-down