Also, we will be relentless in conducting Security Operations to perform our mandate in securing the land and serving the Filipino people,” Trinidad said.
The Army official was reacting to the decision of the National Democratic Front-Northeastern Mindanao calling off the scheduled release of the two police officers they abducted in Placer town in Surigao del Norte early last month, citing the military’s refusal to suspend operations to facilitate the captives’ safe return to their loved ones.
Ka Maria Malaya, spokesperson of NDF-NEMR, said in an emailed statement that PO2 Jhon Paul M. Doverte and PO2 Alfredo L. Degamon were supposed to be released on Dec.[]
5 as part of the NDF’s gesture of peace and in response to the ardent request of their families to be reunited with them this Christmas.
NPA guerrillas wearing vests and uniforms of the police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group snatched Doverte and Degamon on Nov. 13 at a police outpost in Barangay Bad-as, Placer.
Malaya said they decided to cancel the scheduled release of the two policemen after the military refused to heed the Third Party Facilitator’s call for them to stand down.
“All units of military and police force should stand down for six days in six towns of the province to pave way for the safe release but the military failed to do so as they continued its military operations,” Malaya said.[]
