NPA asks for 10-day ceasefire in 74 Bukidnon villages for release of cop

Members of underground groups under the Communist Party of the Philippines mark the 48th anniversary of the New People’s Army (NPA) on March 27, 2017 in Quezon City. (PHOTO BY NIÑO JESUS ORBETA / INQUIRER)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The National Democratic Front in Northern Mindanao has asked the military to implement a 10-day suspension of military and police operations in at least 74 villages in Bukidnon starting March 27 so it can safely release a policeman from the custody of communist rebels.

Police Officer 2 Anthony Natividad, who is assigned at the Kalilangan municipal police in Bukidnon, was on his way to the headquarters in Camp Alagar on board his motorcycle to undergo medical examination when taken by the members of the New People’s Army in Barangay Tikalaan, Talakag town on Feb. 9.

Cesar Renerio, spokesperson of the NDF-North Central Mindanao Region, in a statement said they would release Natividad on condition that the army and police would order their forces to stand down in some villages in the towns of Talakag, Lantapan, Baungon, Pangantucan, and Kalilangan, and the cities of Malaybalay and Valencia.

Renerio said the NDF-NCMR through the NPA would declare its own temporary cessation of hostilities once law enforcers agree to the condition.

The group has assured the police and the public that Natividad has remained in good condition.  The NPA added it no longer had any no reason to detain him further.

“After a thorough investigation and background check on his personal life and as a police officer, we found out that he (Natividad) committed no crime against the people and we see no reason to keep him,” Renerio said in the statement.

The communist rebels have also asked the local third-party facilitators, the local crisis committee of Bukidnon, as well as the Philippine Army officials and Philippine National Police regional and provincial leaderships to cooperate in ensuring the safe return of Natividad to his family.

The military would wait for instructions from President Duterte through the Department of National Defense before acting on the NDF Northern Mindanao’s request, said Capt. Joe Patrick Martinez, spokesperson of the Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division.

Martinez said the Armed Forces of the Philippines would welcome imoves from third-party facilitators and the local crisis committee to arrange for Natividad’s release.  SFM