DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / July 29, 2014) – The Philippine military has ordered a 5-day cease-fire with the communist rebels to allow the safe release of four policemen being held as prisoners of war in the southern province of Surigao del Norte.
The suspension of military operations against the New People’s Army took effect on Tuesday in the towns of Placer, Bacuag, Tubod, Gigakit, Claver and Alegria in Surigao del Norte; and in Santiago, Kitcharao and Jabonga in the province of Agusan del Norte.
The order was contained in a “directive issued by higher headquarters.”
“The 5-day ceasefire temporarily prevents the AFP from the conduct of deliberate offensive operations against the NPA except on movements or activities aimed to support the civil authorities, government instrumentalities and other agencies in promoting peace, development and humanitarian assistance programs,” the military said.
The Eastern Mindanao Command has earlier rejected NPA demand for a cease-fire, but the order was overruled by the Armed Forces of the Philippines to ensure the safety of the police officers – PO3 Vic Concon, PO1 Rey Morales, PO1 Joen Zabala and PO1 Edito Roquiño – who were captured by rebel forces during an assault on a police station this month.
The rebels said they would free the policemen after their families and other groups appealed for their safe release. The NPA has been waging a secessionist war in the country for many decades now. (Mindanao Examiner)
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