Surigao gov’t rejects NPA demand to halt operations

BUTUAN CITY—The New People’s Army rebels holding captive the mayor of Lingig town in Surigao del Sur and his two security aides, have demanded for the suspension of the ongoing rescue operations, Surigao del Sur Gov. Johny Pimentel said.

But Pimentel flatly rejected the rebels’ plea, saying the rescue bid was necessary to compel the rebels to release unconditionally Mayor Henry Dano and his aides.

“We will not stop the military and police rescue operations until the rebels release Mayor Dano and his aides without conditions,” Pimentel, who heads the provincial crisis management committee, told the Inquirer.

Pimentel said a rebel commander, whom he declined to identify, called him through his mobile phone yesterday, asking for a halt to the operations as a condition before talks for Dano’s release start.

“I told the rebel I could not do so, and that I want a proof of life of Mayor Dano,” Pimentel said.

But he clarified his outright rejection to the plea did not mean he is shutting the door for a negotiation with the rebels for the early and safe release of his political ally.

“The doors for negotiations are open. Personally, I want to know why the rebels abducted him and the solutions to this,” he said.

Asked by the Inquirer if his refusal would put Dano’s life in jeopardy, an adamant Pimentel believed otherwise.

“I’m confident the NPAs would not harm Dano and his men,” he said.

Dano, along with his two security aides were seized by the rebels, posing as agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), in the mayor’s house in Poblacion, past 6 a.m Saturday.

Pursuing government troops later clashed with the rebels in Boston, Davao Oriental killing one soldier and seriously wounding five others.

Dano became the second Lingig mayor to have been abducted in two years.

In May last year, Dano’s predecessor, former mayor Roberto Luna Jr. and his two military escorts were also abducted by NPA rebels for their alleged crimes against the communist movement.

Pimentel suspects Dano’s abduction could have been due to his failure to fulfill his campaign promise, and give in to the demands of the rebels.

“It could be his non-payment of the rebel campaign fee during the elections , but I’m not discounting all other motives like politics,” he said.