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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