AFP rejects Reds’ demand for halt in offensive

No way.

Saying it will never deal with terrorists, the Armed Forces rejected yesterday the demand of the New People’s Army (NPA) for a halt in military operations in exchange for the release of a captive Air Force officer.

"The (military) will never deal with terrorists. If we deal with them, we negotiate with them, the more it will embolden their activities," said Col. Tristan Kison, Armed Forces spokesman.

Instead of halting anti-insurgency maneuvers in Central Luzon and other parts of the country as demanded by the National Democratic Front (NDF), Kison said the military would continue its rescue operation for Maj. Neptune Eliquin.

NPA rebels in Central Luzon, who have been holding Eliquin captive for nearly four months now, said he would only be released in a negotiated deal.

Kison said the military is bent on rescuing Eliquin although he admitted that they have been having problems locating him since the rebels have been "very mobile."

"If we locate them, we will immediately conduct (a rescue) operation," he said.

Kison admitted that the military has no idea on the condition of Eliquin, an engineer of the 355th Air Force Wing who was abducted last July 2 while he was on his way to his farm in Floridablanca, Pampanga.

Kison said the military is also considering tapping "third-party" negotiators to broker Eliquin’s release.

"Bishops and politicians have been volunteering (to negotiate Eliquin’s release)," he said.