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PRESS RELEASE
Information Bureau
Communist Party of the Philippines
AFP's "no-negotiation and no-SOMO/SOPO" stance is counter-productive -- Ka Roger
July 23, 2004
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) persistence in declaring its rejection of any negotiation with the New People's Army (NPA) and of the suspension of military operations to pave the way for the release of two prisoners of war (POWs) being held by the NPA-Romulo Jallores Command is "counter-productive and jeopardizes efforts by groups interested and working for the safe and orderly release of the POWs."
Rosal said that "the AFP's persistent empty chatter about its so-called rescue operations is sending out the wrong signals to its men in the field, as well as to the POWs and their loved ones and, in fact, endangers the lives of the POWs."
The NPA is currently holding Lt. Ronaldo Fedelino and Pfc. Ronnel Neme�o as POWs. They were captured after they surrendered in an armed encounter with the NPA on March 1 in Tinambac, Camarines Sur.
As early as March 4, two days after the capture of Fedelino and Neme�o, the NPA announced that it has referred to the negotiating panel of the National Democratic Front (NDF) the matter of the two POWs' release for negotiations with the government.
Even before the May elections, the government negotiating panel had already agreed to order the suspension of military operations and make arrangements with the NDF to facilitate the immediate safe and orderly release of the POWs. On its part, the government agreed to CPP-NPA and NDF's condition for the AFP to immediately cease offensive military operations in Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur and Albay. But to this date the AFP has not abided with the agreement.
Rosal called on the families of the POWs as well as on peace advocates and religious, civic and people's organizations to "step up efforts in order to vigorously urge the government and the AFP to implement the NDF-GRP agreements for the release of the POWs and suspend offensive military and police operations (SOMO/SOPO) in the Bicol region."
Reference:
Anne Buenaventura
Media Officer
Cellphone Number: +63910-240-3553
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