NDF calls for 7-day ceasefire for release of officers, soldiers

By Gerald LEIGH Laquinon,
LITO RULONA, and BEN SERRANO, Correspondents

THE National Democratic Front (NDF) in Northcentral Mindanao over the weekend called for a seven-day suspension of military offensives and police operations as a condition for the release of its captives.

In a statement, the NDF said it plans to release SPO4 Rene Rombo, SPO1 Warren Coñales and PO3 Edwin Castor before the May 9 elections. The three were captured on April 3 at separate New People’s Army (NPA) checkpoints in Talisayan in Misamis Oriental, and Impasug-ong in Bukidnon.

Cesar Renerio, NDF regional spokesperson, said the ceasefire may be declared from midnight of April 30 to midnight of May 6 to cover Malaybalay City, Impasug-ong, Manolo Fortich, Cabanglasan and San Fernando in Bukidnon; and Claveria, Balingasag, Lagonglong, Salay, Sugbongcogon, Kinoguitan, Balingoan, Talisayan and Medina in Misamis Oriental.

The NDF also promised to release Pfcs. Diven Tawide and Glen Austria who were also captured on April 3 at a rebel checkpoint in Buenavista town, Agusan del Sur.

The Front called for a suspension of operations in Buenavista, Las Nieves and Butuan City in Agusan del Norte; and in Esperanza, San Luis, Talacogon and La Paz in Agusan del Sur.

“This is needed to arrive at a favorable condition for the safe and orderly release of the POWs,” said Renerio, adding that the NPA custodial units are ready to turn over the prisoners to a third-party group of facilitators.

He said they would announce the different time and place of the release once they receive the written copy of the order of suspension of operations from the police and military.