By Edith Regalado and Roel Pareño
MANILA, Philippines - The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) yesterday ordered its armed wing the New People’s Army (NPA) to release the six soldiers and policemen they are holding captive, and called for a bilateral ceasefire agreement with the government.
In a statement yesterday, the CPP said the release of the six “prisoners of war” is their “positive gesture” to continue peace negotiations with the government.
This came days after the peace talks folded as the NPA lifted its unilateral ceasefire. President Duterte responded by terminating the ceasefire and peace talks.
The CPP ordered the release of Pfc. Edwin Salan who was captured in Alegria, Surigao del Norte on Jan. 29; Sgt. Solaiman Calucop and Pfc. Samuel Garay who were captured in Columbio, Sultan Kudarat on Feb. 2; PO2 Jerome Natividad captured in Talakag, Bukidnon on Feb. 9; and paramilitary Rene Doller and Carl Mark who were captured in Lupon, Davao Oriental on Feb. 14.
The CPP said “the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) can cooperate by withdrawing all troops in and around the areas where the prisoners of war will be released to pave the way for their safe and orderly release.”
If the AFP will cooperate, all six captives can return to their families before or during the scheduled peace negotiations in the Netherlands next week, the CPP added.
The CPP also ordered the NPA commands in charge of the custodial units “to work closely with third party facilitators.”
The CPP said that if Duterte is really “obsessed with peace” as the government peace panel said, “he can heed the people’s clamor and reverse his earlier pronouncements terminating peace negotiations.”
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