NDFP orders NPA to release Davao cops

TWO police officers who have been captured and labeled as prisoners of war (POWs) by the New People's Army (NPA) will be released anytime soon after a direct order was issued by the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) in Southern Mindanao on Friday, August 19.

At present, the two POWs are in separate custodies of two units of the NPA rebels based in Compostela Valley province.

Police officers who were held captive by the communist rebels were Chief Inspector Arnold Ongachen and Chief Inspector Michael Grande.

The two were abducted in separate operations last June and May both in Davao Oriental.

In a statement furnished by NDF-Southern Mindanao to SunStar Davao on Friday, the order for the release of POWs is regarded as goodwill measure for the formal resumption of the peace negotiations on August 22.

NDFP-SM spokesperson Rubidel Mundo assured they will conduct an orderly and safe turn-over of the two POWs amid no suspension of military and police offensives.

"The judicial proceedings and investigations into POW Ongachen and POW Grande's possible war crimes and violation of people's rights have been effectively suspended in deference to appeals of their families and peace advocates. POW Ongachen and POW Grande have apologized for their violations against the people," del Mundo said.

The specific details for the cops' scheduled have yet to be revealed.

Chief Inspector Andrea dela Cerna, spokesperson for the Police Regional Office (PRO) in Davao region, said the PRO-Davao Region welcomed the plan of the NDFP to order the NPA to release the POWs under their custody but they will have to wait for the actual release and turnover of the POWs before they can confirm the sincerity of the NFP for the resumption of peace talks.

It can be recalled that Ongachen, chief of the Governor Generoso police station, was abducted by the NPA rebels last May 29 after he was tagged as drug protector in his area of responsibility.

The Police Regional Office (PRO)-Davao denounced the NPA rebels' claim that Ongachen was involved in illegal drugs.

Similarly, Grande was abducted by the NPA rebels last June 19.

The families of the two cops have pleaded for government's help for their safe release. In return, the Duterte administration has allowed the temporary release of several political prisoners and NDF peace consultants over the past weeks.

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