Release of POWs within SOMO period, CPP assures
August 13, 2004

The Communist Party of the Philippines today said that New People's Army (NPA) will effect the release of the two prisoners of war within the period of the 20-day suspension of offensive military and police operations in the provinces of Albay and Camarines Sur.

CPP spokesman Gregorio "Ka Roger" Rosal said that they are awaiting Malacanang's formal announcement of a SOMO order.

"As soon as the NPA is able to verify the strict compliance of the AFP and PNP with the SOMO order from Malacanang," Rosal added.

The NPA has been holding Lt. Ronaldo Fidelino and Pfc. Ronnel Nemeno as POWs for more than five months now. The two surrendered to the NPA in an armed encounter with the latter last March 1 at Tinambac, Camarines Sur.

The NPA will "closely monitor the movements of AFP units," Rosal said. "To ensure the safe and orderly release of the POWs, the NPA will make sure that all AFP and PNP units within the two provinces are in their headquarters."

He warned that AFP violations of agreements will have consequences on the schedule of the release of the POWs.

"We originally wanted to effect the release the two POWs before the second birthday of Lt. Fidelino's daughter Alea Nicole on August 16," Rosal said.

"But this was made impossible by the refusal of the AFP to follow the SOMO order secretly issued by the DND," Rosal added.

"It is a good thing that Malacanang has bowed to public pressure to order a SOMO/SOPO to create favorable conditions for the release of the POWs. Kaunting paghihintay na lang," Rosal said.

Reference:
Anne Buenaventura
Media Officer
Cellphone Number: +63910-240-3553

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Release of POWs within SOMO period, CPP assures August 13, 2004

Release of POWs within SOMO period, CPP assures
August 13, 2004