NPA declares 4-day truce in Mindanao

Communist rebels in Southern Mindanao on Monday declared a four-day ceasefire to facilitate the release of a soldier and a policeman they kidnapped last month in Compostela Valley.

Rubi del Mundo, spokesperson of the National Democratic Front Southern Mindanao, said the Army’s 10th division should reciprocate their truce declaration, which would take effect Tuesday until Friday.

“While on temporary ceasefire in the aforesaid areas, the NPA remains in active defensive posture against the enemy’s attacks,” Del Mundo said in a statement.

The victims, identified as Army Pfc. Jezreel Culango and PO1 Ruel Pasion, were kidnapped last Jan. 17 as they passed by a checkpoint set up by the rebels in Laak town.

The rebels’ ceasefire will cover the towns of Kapalong, San Isidro, Asuncion, New Corella all in Davao del Norte, and Laak in Compostela Valley.

“While on temporary ceasefire in the aforesaid areas, the NPA remains in active defensive posture against the enemy’s attacks,” Del Mundo said.

The military, however, does not see the need to reciprocate the rebels’ declaration. 

“We are just conducting peace and development programs in the area,” Armed Forces spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said.

“They (rebels) should just release the victims. Kidnapping is against the law,” he said.

Burgos said they are hopeful that the rebels would abandon armed struggle to live peaceful lives.