MANILA,
Philippines- The Armed Forces of the Philippines discarded yesterday NPA’s
demand to cease military operations in Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental.
New People's
Army (NPA) called for the suspension of military operation (SOMO) as exchange
for the release of two soldiers who were abducted by the leftist rebels,
however, AFP announced its refusal to the demand.
The Commander of
the military's Eastern Mindanao Command Major General Aurelio Baladad, indicted
the leftist rebels of calling for a SOMO.
“So they could
evade pursuing government troops,” Baladad said as he seconded AFP’s refusal.
Spokesman of the
Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA's North Central Mindanao Regional
Allan Juanito, called for the SOMO starting yesterday so they can release Philippine
Army's 8th Infantry Battalion Private First Class Marnel Cinches and Jerrel
Yurong.
Juanito said the
NPA wants to "ensure the security of all who will participate in and
witness the release."
He added the NPA
will no longer probe the two soldiers in hoping for the resumption of stalled
peace negotiations between the Philippine government and the CPP's negotiating
arm, the National Democratic Front.
The kidnapped of
the two soldiers happened while they were on their way to a livelihood mission
in Buntungon village, Impasug-ong town in Bukidnown province.
It was said Cinches and Yurong were unarmed and
were not in uniform when they were abducted by the leftist rebels.
