Release of 2 Surigao cops proof of goodwill — NDF

SURIGAO CITY – The National Democratic Front (NDF) said the release by communist guerrillas of two policemen of Placer, Surigao del Norte last Wednesday is proof of goodwill to resume the peace talks.

Maria Malaya, spokesperson for the NDF-Northeastern Mindanao Region, over the weekend said this also shows that the New People’s Army (NPA) is not a terrorist group.

In a press statement, Malaya said prisoners of war (POW) Police Officers 2 Jhon Paul Doverte and Alfredo Degamon were released in the hinterlands of Sitio Palalihan, Barangay Mahanob in Gigaquit, Surigao del Norte, in simple ceremonies witnessed by around 500 people “despite statements from military and the PNP that they will not stop military operations.”

“It may not be as large a crowd compared with POW releases in the past… (but) these people risked their safety to push for the resumption of the peace talks between the government of the Republic of the Philippines and National Democratic Front,” added Malaya.

She also claimed that the release of the two policemen from the custody of the NPA Front 16 Custodial Force for 36 days only showed the NPA is a revolutionary army and not a terrorist group.

“It is a principle of the NPA to humanely and appropriately treat prisoners of war and enemies who can no longer fight back. Enemies wounded in battle are cared for and given treatment,” Malaya added.

She thanked the third party facilitator, officials of the local government unit, church people, concerned individuals for their efforts that finally led to the release of the two Surigao del Norte cops.