Communist rebels to release cop if AFP declares ceasefire in N. Cotabato

MANILA, Philippines –The National Democratic Front in Southern Mindanao will release its police captive if the Armed Forces of the Philippines would declare a ceasefire in selected areas in North Cotabato and Davao City.

“To expedite the safe release [of the captive], the AFP must cease its operations in the towns of Arakan, Magpet, Antipas and President Roxas in North Cotabato, and contiguous entry areas in Baguio and Marilog districts in Davao City,” Rubi del Mundo of NDF Southern Mindanao said in a statement.

Del Mundo said the areas are within the scope of the 84th Infantry Battalion and 57th Infantry Battalion of the 10th Infantry Division, AFP units that have intensified operations against the New People’s Army’s Mt. Apo Sub-regional command.

The rebels in Mt. Apo are holding Police Officer 3 Maula Tato Ali of Arakan police who was abducted in an NPA checkpoint on April 19 in Batobato, President Roxas town.

Del Mundo said that they accepted the recommendation of release after “subsequent investigation” revealed that Ali “did not commit significant offenses against the masses and the revolutionary forces.”

“He also did not figure in the cover-up or obstruction of justice that the Arakan police had committed in the case of Fr. Fausto “Pops” Tentorio who was martyred in October 2011,” del Mundo added.