LUCENA CITY, Philippines – The bishop of the Catholic diocese of Lucena in Quezon province declared on Friday his intention to negotiate for the release of three policemen being held as "prisoners of war" by the communist New Peoples Army (NPA).

Bishop Emilio Marquez said the families of two of the policemen sought his help Friday morning to facilitate negotiation for the safe release of the captive lawmen, who were reportedly seized by the NPA's Narciso Antazo Aramil Command in Rizal province.

"The families came to me and asked for my help in the negotiation for the freedom of their loved ones. It is my obligation to help them in whatever capacity that I can," Marquez told the Philippine Daily Inquirer (parent company of INQUIRER.net) but declined to say which policemen’s kin sought him out.

Marquez said he is currently exploring all avenues to establish contact with the communist guerillas.

"They [NPA] can contact me anytime in my residence or they can send emissaries," Marquez said.

The Quezon bishop lives inside the compound of Centro Pastoral in the village of Isabang, on the outskirts of Lucena City. His phone number is 042-6604909.

Senior Superintendent Aaron Deocares Fidel, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon provinces) regional police deputy director for operation and concurrent head of Task Force Montalban, a police unit task to hunt down the rebels holding the lawmen, said they welcome the independent initiatives of any parties who want to help in securing the freedom of the captives.

"We appreciate all efforts to help the policemen’s families. We don't have any problem with that," he said over the phone.

Inspector Rex Cuntapay, Police Officers 1 Albert DC Umali and Arvin Agasen were captured over the weekend after NPA guerillas ambushed a police patrol car sent to investigate reports that rebels had burned a dump truck in Rodriguez, Rizal.

Aside from the three captives, one policeman died and two others were injured in the encounter.

In a statement, Ka Arman Guerrero, spokesman of the National Democratic Front (NDF) in Rizal province, said the three captured lawmen are safe.

The NDF is the umbrella organization of groups with the communist revolutionary movement.

Guerrero said the three policemen are being treated well "according to the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law and the Protocol II of the Geneva Convention."

The rebel spokesman said the captive policemen would be investigated for possible crimes against the people and the revolutionary movement and it warranted, they would be tried under the guerilla's "revolutionary justice".

Guerrero said the communist guerillas are willing to negotiate for the release of the captives but demanded that the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police first call off rescue operations.