NDF orders the release of military, police captives

(davaotoday.com file photo by Medel V. Hernani)

Somo and Sopo, according to Del Mundo, “are requisites to ensure the safe and orderly process of the release of the POWs to the International Committee of the Red Cross, concerned provincial officials of the Aquino government and church leaders, who shall then turn over the POWs to their respective families.”

By JOHN RIZLE L. SALIGUMBA
Davao Today

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The National Democratic Front (NDF)-Southern Mindanao has called on the military and police to suspend their offensive operations in the specific areas in the region to pave way for the safe and orderly release of the two Prisoners of war (POWs) currently in the custody of the New People’s Army (NPA).

In a statement, Rubi del Mundo, NDF spokesperson, cited Compostela Valley’s Maco, Mabini, Nabunturan, Mawab and Pantukan towns as the “possible release sites” of the said captives.

Private First Class Jesus Tomas of the 71st Infantry Battalion-Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Allan Mariquit Pansoy, Senior Police Officer 2 of the Philippine National Police (PNP) are currently detained by the NPA’s Compostela Valley-Davao Gulf Sub-Regional Command.

But they are set to be released in response to the humanitarian appeal by the families of POWs, representatives from local government units and peace advocates.

However, the communist spokesperson said, the NPA will remain “in active defense to protect itself from treacherous military operations,” citing the alleged attempt of government troops to sabotage the release of POW Maula Tato Ali in Arakan town last Wednesday.

A day before the NDF’s order, peace advocacy group Sowing the Seeds for Peace in Mindanao held a press conference, asking the military and police to stop their operations after the NPA’s announcement of releasing Pansoy.

Pansoy was captured in an NPA checkpoint in Anitapan village, Mabini town. He served as an armed escort of Compostela Valley governor Arturo Uy when communist guerrillas flagged down their convoy from a political sortie.

The NDF said Pansoy has “not committed grave crimes against the people.”

Bishop Modesto Villasanta, convenor of Sowing the Seeds of Peace, believes that the military and police can issue a suspension of operations. “I think all it takes is just one order from their higher-ups,” he said.

Andy Dultra, the village chief of Mabini town, also supported the call of the peace advocacy group. “Paningkamotan unta (sa kasundaluhan) nga dili magkaguliyang ang among lugar kung didto man galing papaulion si SPO2 Pansyo,” he said.

Rev. Fr. Raymond Suela believed that “for the safe conduct of the release,” the Somo and Sopo are necessary.

Meanwhile, Carlosa Pansoy, mother of SPO2 Pansoy has asked the NPA to treat her son “as they have treated well those they have captured in the past.”

Carlosa shared that her son has been a police officer for 11 years and maintained that he has not been involved in a major incident that has put his life in danger. She too, has, asked for Somo and Sopo.

Peace talks

For Villasanta, the capture of military and police personnel, as well as offensives, will continue “unless the peace negotiations will resume and address the root causes of the armed conflict.”

“No government agency has tackled the roots of the armed conflict except during the peace talks,” he said as he expressed apprehension over the planned localized peace talks as the new approach of the Aquino government.

“It is more difficult to talk with so many parties if localized peace talks would happen. We support the regular talks with the already outlined established agenda,” he said, adding that the government “must not be easily frustrated if it encounters roadblocks. (John Rizle L. Saligumba/davaotoday.com)