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Monday, April 05, 2004
NDF, gov't agree on release of prisoners
MANILA -- Communists welcomed Sunday the government's promise that it would release 32 detained insurgents, saying the gesture would promote goodwill in peace talks.
But the optimistic mood was tempered by fresh clashes that left five New People's Army (NPA) guerrillas dead in the southern Philippines, the military reported.
Philippine negotiators agreed, in talks with representatives of the National Democratic Front in Norway over the weekend, to free 32 prisoners in batches this month and next.
Overdue
The front is the political wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, and its armed component the NPA, which has been waging an armed struggle for 35 years.
Party spokesman Gregorio Rosal said the release of the prisoners was long overdue, noting that it was first promised by the government during talks in 2001, which were later suspended.
"Despite the long delay, the forthcoming release of 32 political prisoners is at least a good start for the building of confidence in the present peace negotiations," Rosal said in a statement released in Manila.
However, he said the 32 prisoners formed only a portion of the more than 300 insurgents the party wants freed.
Philippine negotiators in Oslo had said the government wanted a comprehensive peace agreement with the rebels within six months.
Ambush
On Sunday, some 20 NPA guerrillas ambushed patrolling troops near the town of Esperanza in southern Agusan Del Sur province, triggering a gunbattle that left three rebels dead.
Fighting near the town of Balingasag also in the south on Saturday, meanwhile, killed two NPA rebels. The military accused the NPA of stepping up attacks despite the talks. AFP
(April 5, 2004 issue)
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