Capitol creates crisis committee for abducted cops, soldiers’ safe release

By NITZ ARANCON
and LITO RULONA,
Correspondents

MISAMIS Oriental Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano on Monday created the Provincial Local Crisis Committee to facilitate the safe release of SPO4 Rene Rombo, among others, who was abducted by the New People’s Army in its road block in Talisayan town, this province on April 3, a Capitol official said.

Fernand Dy, spokesman of the crisis committee and chief of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDR RMO) also told reporters the governor will be heading the crisis committee.

The members of the crisis committee, Dy said, include Board Member Heckert Jude Emano, Provincial Administrator Atty. Joselyn Mateo, Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Maria Cecilia Faelnar, and Provincial MisOr Care coordinator Marrybem Ucot.

Dy said Gov. Emano also included Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) Bishop Felixberto Calang in the crisis committee.

“Gusto ni Gov. Emano nga neutral kami sa paghimo’g negosasyon mao na nga wala i-apil sa local crisis committee ang police ug military,” Dy said.

In another development, Calang said Bukid-non Gov. Jose Maria Zubiri has invited him to also be a part of Bukidnon’s local crisis committee which also aims for the safe release of SPO1 Warren Hansol Coñales and PO3 Edwin Castor who were abducted by the NPA also on April 3 at their road block in Impasug-ong town in Bukidnon.

Calang said they already had an initial talk with the families of the victim and other members of the local crisis committee to start contacting the rebel especially the custodial force for their immediate release.

Calang said they were already informed that the local government units in Agusan del Norte has also convened the local crisis committee to release Pfcs. Glenn Autria and Diven Abion Tawide, both from the 23rd Infantry Battalion in in Purok 3, Lower Olave, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte.

“Mapasalamaton kita nga gi-declare sa NPA ang ilang mga dinakpan nga prisoners of war ug ang ilang pagelease sa dili madugay. Ang condition lang is safe and orderly conduct sa pagelease,” Calang said.

He said base on the previous incidents in releasing POWs, the rebel group also asked the immediate suspension of the military and police operation within the operational area of the both military and police units.

“Sa pagelease duna sab cooperation ang gobyerno sa pag-set aside sa army and police operation to start the process of the release,” Calang added.

He said the local crisis committee will work hand in hand with the Philippine Economical Peace Platform (PEPP) as parallel effort. They already got the assurance from Zubiri to help the effort of the release.

“Wala pa’y time frame sa release kay naa pa kita sa initial stage sa ilang release. Ang mga pamilya uban sa PEPP ang nakig-coordinate na pud sa Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) and the Evangelical Churches in conducting family conference,” he pointed out.

Calang asked the rebel custodial unit in taking extra care of the abducted police officers and soldiers from any harm so with the government troopers to stop hot pursuit operation.