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NPA turns over POWs to Sen. Pacquiao in Davao Oriental

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The New People’s Army in Southern Mindanao Regional Operations Command yesterday released from its custody Prisoners of War Arnold S. Ongachen and Michael B. Grande and turned them over to Sen. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao and other peace advocates in Brgy. Kalapagan, Lupon, Davao Oriental. Pursuant to the Release Order issued by the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, Red fighters under the ComVal – Davao Gulf Sub-Regional Command undertook the orderly release with more than a thousand masses in attendance.

POW Ongachen was arrested during the successful raid of the Gov. Generoso Municipal Police Station on May 29 while POW Grande was taken into custody on June 19 in Lupon, Davao Oriental. Both prisoners underwent investigation of their possible crimes against the people and the revolutionary movement.

During the release, POWs Ongachen and Grande thanked their respective NPA custodial units for the latter’s lenient treatment and ensuring their safety. The two PNP officers were held in secure custody by Red fighters despite relentless AFP combat operations.

In his speech, Sen. Pacquiao vowed to engage in issues that affect the Filipino people and work with revolutionary forces in order to address such problems. We urge him to make good on his commitment by actively deliberating in the Philippine Senate issues on genuine agrarian reform and national industrialization. He can also aid in the immediate and unconditional release of the remaining political prisoners still in jails across the country.

Moreover, as one who has roots in the toiling class from Southern Philippines, Sen. Pacquiao knows all too well the struggles
beleaguering the Lumad and peasant and the exacerbating effect of continuing militarization by the AFP and its paramilitaries. Less than 24 hours after the release of the 2 POWs, AFP troops are already conducting combat operation and terrorizing civilians in Brgy. Kalapagan.

The NPA in Southern Mindanao welcomes all friendly overtures by politicians of the Philippine government on the basis of advancing people’s issues and national unity.

Sgd. RIGOBERTO F. SANCHEZ
Spokesperson
NPA-SMR

Order to suspend all offensive operations of the NPA in Surigao Del Sur and Surigao Del Norte until August 31, 2016 to facilitate the release of the five (5) prisoners of war in NEMR

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Given that a unilateral ceasefire declaration of the CPP-NPA is currently in effect since 12:01 midnight of August 21 until 11:59 midnight of August 27, 2016, the National Democratic Front of the Philippines – North Eastern Mindanao Region (NDFP-NEMR) hereby orders all units of the New People’s Army whose area of responsibility covers San Miguel, Tago, Tandag City, Cortes, Lanuza, Carmen, Madrid, Cantilan and Carrascal in Surigao del Sur and the whole province of Surigao del Norte to CONTINUE TO SUSPEND ALL OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS until midnight (12:00) of August 31, 2016.

This declaration is to ensure the safety and security of the Prisoners of War (POW), Third Party Facilitators, the New People’s Army custodial units, and all those who will attend the release of prisoners of war PO1 Richard Yu of the PNP-Carmen in Surigao del Sur; PO2 Caleb Sinaca, PO3 Jayroll Bagayas and NPU Rodrigo Angob of the Malimono Municipal Police Station and SPO3 Santiago Lamanilao of the Surigao City Police Office in Surigao del Norte.

Given that the GRP President Rodrigo Duterte has declared an indefinite UNILATERAL ceasefire which started midnight of August 21, 2016, we expect that the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, and Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (AFP-PNP-CAFGU) and its paramilitary forces will abide by the order of its commander-in-chief and will have completely suspended the offensive military operations especially in the abovementioned areas. Should the AFP-PNP-CAFGU units fail to comply with the directive, they shall be subject to counter-offensive and active-defense military actions of the NPA after the lifting of the NPA unilateral ceasefire at the dawn of August 28, 2016.

In relation to this, all responsible units concerned with the security of the area must report immediately to their higher command any and all developments in the field in order to help enable the NDFP-NEMR to make timely appraisals and directives based on the situation.

This ceasefire order to all responsible units means the temporary cessation of any military actions by concerned NPA units against whatever unit or individual members of the AFP-PNP-CAFGU. All concerned NPA units, however, must maintain their active-defense posture within the given timeframe of the ceasefire, and must not hesitate to defend its forces and the masses within its area of responsibility.

It is ordered further that after the release of prisoners of war PO1 Ricard Yu, PO2 Caleb Sinaca, PO3 Jayroll Bagayas, NPU Rodrigo Angob and SPO3 Santiago Lamanilao, all NPA units must move to a more secure location to prepare themselves and the masses in the area against possible attacks by enemy forces.

Ka Maria Malaya
Spokesperson
NDFP-NEMR

NPA acknowledges POW Ongachen’s apology, readies his release from custody

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The Regional Operations Command of the New People’s Army in Southern Mindanao has acknowledged the admission of guilt and subsequent public apology of Prisoner of War Police Chief Inspector Arnold S. Ongachen, badge no. 018629. He has admitted to having made an error of judgment by keeping in his possession a sachet of shabu which they took from a “test buy” operation. He has also apologized to the masses, the government of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte and the CPP-NPA-NDF.

[Read POW Ongachen video message: NPA rehabilitates drug users]

His custodial unit has reported that preparations are underway for his safe and orderly release. Following the declaration of the unilateral ceasefire of the Central Committee of the CPP and the National Operations Command of the NPA and the reciprocation of the GPH of its own ceasefire, the custodial unit is nevertheless ready for any untoward event that may endanger POW Ongachen and the Red army’s safety.

POW Ongachen was arrested during the successful raid of the Gov. Generoso Municipal Police Station on May 29.

During his custody, POW Ongachen has declared willingness to support the NPA’s campaign against the prevalent drug trade in Gov. Generoso and Davao Oriental province. He was likewise given political education and has seen first hand how the NPA conducts its rehabilitation of drug users. He has spoken well of the masses’ support to the Red army and the people’s war and appealed to his principal, Pres. Duterte, to pursue the negotiations that will discuss the roots of the civil war.

The pending release of POW Ongachen along with another prisoner of war Michael B. Grande are a gesture of goodwill on the part of the revolutionary movement and optimism for the resumption of the peace negotiations.

While we deem the recent release of the NDFP consultants a positive development, the remaining political prisoners all over the country should be released immediately and without condition by the Duterte government in compliance with the CARHRIHL. These Red fighters, activists and civilians who were incarcerated on the ridiculous weight of trumped-up charges have suffered enough injustice under the fascist Arroyo and Aquino III regimes.

Below is the complete transcript of POW Ongachen’s public apology:

Magandang hapon po. Humihingipoako ng tawad sa masang Pilipino lalong-lalo na kay Pres. Rodrigo RoaDuterte, sa PNP organization at sa CPP-NPA-NDF sa pagkakamaliko pong paghawak ng isang sachet ng shabu na nakuha naming sa test buy nahindiakodapatanghahawaknito.

Sa dahilan pong tiwalang-tiwalapo ako sa sarili ko na hindi ko po ito gagamitin dahil hindi po ako user. At ito po ang naging dahilan kung bakit tumagal ng ganito ang pag-kustodiya sa akin. Inuulit kopo, hindi po ako user, hindi po ako pusher at lalong-lalo na po hindi po ako protektor ng droga. Sana po mapatawad po ninyo po ako. Maraming salamat po.

Good afternoon. I am apologizing to the Filipino people, especially to Pres. Rodrigo RoaDuterte, to the PNP organization and to the CPP-NPA-NDF for the mistake I have committed of keeping in my possession a sachet of shabu that we took during a test buy. I should not have been the one who kept it.

This was because I am confident that I will not use it because I am not a drug user. And this is the reason why my custody took a long time. I am reiterating that I am not a user, I am not a pusher and, most especially, I am not a protector of the drug trade. I hope you will all forgive me. Thank you very much.

Sgd. RIGOBERTO F. SANCHEZ
Spokesperson
NPA-SMR

NDF-NEMR to release 5 POW as goodwill for the August Oslo talks with the Duterte government

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[Bisaya»]

The National Democratic Front of the Philippines in Northeastern Mindanao Region (NDFP-NEMR) announces the upcoming release of the five (5) prisoners of war of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur.

On July 5, 2016, PO1 Richard Vaz Yu of the PNP in Carmen, Surigao del Sur was arrested in Brgy. San Vicente by a team of the NPA Front 30-NEMR based on reports of his involvement in the proliferation of illegal drugs in the municipality. He has been under the custody of NPA’s Front Operational Command 30 since his arrest.

On July 24, 2016 PO2 Caleb Sinaca, PO3 Jayroll Bagayas and NPU Rodrigo Angob of the Malimono Municipal Police Station and SPO3 Santiago Lamanilao of the Surigao City Police Office in Surigao del Norte were arrested in Brgy. Cagtinae in Malimono by a team of the NPA Front 16. They were arrested for their involvement in illegal drugs and illegal gambling in Malimono and Surigao City. PO2 Sinaca is linked as police protector to illegal drug syndicates and the illegal logging trade in the same town. He is also known for his extortion activities of small-scale miners, threatening and harassing peasants working for his father, Dario Sinaca. The 4 has been under the custody of NPA’s Front Operational Command 16.

These arrests were made by the NPA in NEMR as part of its own anti-drug campaign. The NDFP-NEMR has done preliminary investigation of the 5 POW and will turn over the results of the NPA’s investigation to the third party facilitator and the PNP through its Chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa in the hope that it will assist them in their own investigation.

We congratulate the custodial forces of the New People’s Army’s Front Operational Command 30 and 16 who continue to successfully ensure the safety of the POW despite the relentless combat and community operations for peace and development (COPD) of the AFP. The custodial forces painstakingly adheres to Protocol II of the Geneva Conventions and International Humanitarian Law on the treatment of prisoners of war.

The release of the 5 POW is in response to the appeal of the 5 POW’s families with the facilitation of religious members of the different churches in the two provinces. Their release signifies the revolutionary movement’s serious intent in pursuing peace talks between the NDFP and the GPH and as a gesture of goodwill for the resumption of formal talks in Oslo, Norway on August 22, 2016.

BUHIAN SA NDF-NEMR ANG 5 KA POW ISIP PAKIGDAIT ALANG SA PAKIGHISGUT SA KALINAW SA GOBYERNONG DUTERTE SA OSLO KARONG AGOSTO

Ang National Democratic Front of the Philippines sa Northeastern Mindanao Region (NDFP-NEMR) nagpahibalo sa umaabot nga pagbuhi sa lima (5) ka prisoners of war sa Bagong Hukbong Bayan (BHB) sa Surigao del Norte ug Surigao del Sur.

Niadtong Hulyo 5, 2016, gidakop si PO1 Richard Vaz Yu sa PNP-Carmen, Surigao del Sur didto sa Brgy. San Vicente sa usa ka tim sa BHB Front 30-NEMR, base sa taho sa iyang kalambigitan sa pagkaylap sa iligal nga droga sa maong munisipyo. Anaa siya sa kustodiya BHB Front Operational Command 30 sukad sa iyang pagkadakop.

Niadtong Hulyo 24, 2016 gidakop sila PO2 Caleb Sinaca, PO3 Jayroll Bagayas ug NPU Rodrigo Angob sa Malimono Municipal Police Station ug SPO3 Santiago Lamanilao sa Surigao City Police Office sa Surigao del Norte didto sa Brgy. Cagtinae sa Malimono sa usa ka tim sa BHB Front 16. Gidakop sila tungod sa ilang kalambigitan sa iligal nga droga ug iligal nga sugal sa Malimono ug Surigao City. Si PO2 Sinaca nalambigit isip pulis protektor sa sindikato sa iligal nga droga ug iligal nga logging sa susamang lungsod. Nailhan usab siya nga ekstorsyonista sa gagmay’ng mga minero, nagbahad ug nanghasi sa mga mag-uuma nga nanarbaho para sa iyang amahan nga si Dario Sinaca. Ang 4 anaa sa kustodiya sa BHB Front Operational Command 16.

Gihimo kini nga mga pag-aresto sa BHB sa NEMR isip kabahin sa iyang kaugalingong kampanya kontra-droga. Ang NDFP-NEMR nakahimo sa pasiunang imbestigasyon sa 5 ka POW ug ihatag niini ang resulta sa imbestigasyon sa BHB sa third party facilitator ug sa PNP pinaagi sa iyang Hepe Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa sa paglaum nga makatabang kini sa ilang kaugalingong imbestigasyon.

Among gipasidunggan ang custodial forces sa Front Operational Command 30 ug 16 sa Bagong Hukbong Bayan nga padayong malampuson nga nagseguro sa kaluwasan sa mga POW luyo sa walay hunong nga kombat operisyon ug community operations for peace and development (COPD) sa AFP. Ang custodial forces hugot nga nagsubay sa Protocol II sa Geneva Conventions ug International Humanitarian Law sa pagtratar sa prisoners of war.

Ang pagbuhi sa 5 ka POW pagsango sa hangyo sa mga pamilya sa 5 ka POW sa tabang sa mga relihiyoso sa nagkalainlaing mga simbahan sa duha ka probinsya. Ang ilang pagbuhi nagpakita sa kaseryoso sa rebolusyonaryong kalihukan sa pagduso sa panaghisgut sa kalinaw tali sa NDFP ug sa GPH ug isip pagpakita sa pakigdait alang sa pagbalik sa pormal nga panaghisgut sa Oslo, Norway karong Agosto 22, 2016.