NPA frees 4 cops
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MANILA, Philippines – New People’s Army (NPA) rebels on Tuesday released four policemen they held captive for more than two weeks in Alegria town, Surigao del Norte.
A certain Ka Joaquin of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) read the order of release of Police Officer 3 Vic Calubag Concon, PO1 Rey O’niel Morales, PO1 Joen Zabala and PO1 Edito Roquino in an undisclosed area in Agusan del Norte.
Media reports said the release order was signed by Luis Jalandoni, NDFP chair of the peace panel.
The group earlier arranged the turnover of the captives to Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II as a “gesture for the resumption of peace talks between the NDF and the government.”
The policemen were captured by the rebels in an attack on a police station in Alegria town last July 10.
The officers were welcomed by Roxas in Agusan del Norte with Interior Undersecretary Hernani Braganza and selected members of the media.
Amid the release of the policemen, the NDFP declared a ceasefire by the NPA in several towns of Surigao del Norte and Agusan del Norte until August 1.
“The NDFP is declaring a ceasefire by the NPA for the towns of Claver, Gigaquit, Bacuag, Placer, Tubod and Alegria of Surigao del Norte and Kitcharao, Jabonga and Santiago of Agusan del Norte beginning 12:00 noon of July 27, 2014 until 12:00 noon of August 1, 2014,” Jalandoni said.
“The NPA ceasefire corresponds with the suspension of military and police operations (SOMO and SOPO) issued for the same area and period of time,” he added.
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