(Eagle News)- The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) has ordered its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA) to release the six “prisoners of war” whom the rebels are holding as a “positive gesture” that it wants to continue peace talks with the government.
In a statement, the CPP said that it is open to negotiations for a bilateral ceasefire, recalling a previous pronouncement of President Rodrigo Duterte that all political prisoners could be released once a bilateral ceasefire agreement is reached.
They are also hoping that the Duterte would sent the government panel members to the scheduled talks on February 22-27 in the Netherlands.
“As a positive gesture, the CPP calls on all concerned NPA units to expedite the release of the six prisoners of war (POWs) captured over the past days. (See list below.) The NPA commands in charge of the custodial units can work closely with third party facilitators,” the CPP statement dated February 19 said.
“The AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) can cooperate by withdrawing all troops in and around the area where the (prisoners of war) will be released to pave the way for their safe and orderly release. Assuming the cooperation of local AFP commands, all (prisoners of war) can return to their families before or during the scheduled negotiations in The Netherlands,” read the statement.
Those being held by the NPA rebels are the following:
1. PFC Edwin Salan, captured in Alegria, Surigao del Norte on January 29
2. Sgt. Solaiman Calucop and
3. PFC Samuel Garay, captured in Columbio, Sultan Kudarat on February 2
4. PO2 Jerome Natividad, captured in Talakag, Bukidnon on February 9
5. Paramilitary Rene Doller and
6. Paramilitary Carl Mark, captured in Lupon, Davao Oriental on February 14
“If (Government of the Republic of the Philippines) President Duterte decides to send his negotiating panel and emissaries to the upcoming scheduled talks between the ceasefire committees, negotiations for a bilateral ceasefire agreement can proceed as scheduled on February 22-27 in The Netherlands,” the CPP said.
“To ensure success of the negotiations, the GRP can help facilitate the travel of the (National Democratic Front of the Philippines’) ceasefire committee member and consultants,” it added.
It said that both the CPP and the NPA “reiterate their support for efforts to forge a bilateral ceasefire agreement.”
“The revolutionary forces are encouraged by the previous statements of GRP President Duterte that all political prisoners will be released within 48 hours once the bilateral ceasefire agreement is signed,” it said.
The CPP said it anticipates that negotiations concerning the terms of reference on the bilateral ceasefire agreement will be the most difficult.
But it said that they would continue to assert the withdrawal of the AFP’s operating troops” from the areas it considered as NPA areas.
“However difficult, the revolutionary forces are willing to work with the GRP negotiators to hammer out a bilateral ceasefire agreement that will be mutually acceptable and enforceable,” it said.
