Rubi del Mundo, spokesperson of the NDFP-SMR said the order to release prisoners of war is a goodwill measure for the formal resumption of formal peace talks scheduled on Aug. 22 in Oslo, Norway.
By RONALYN V. OLEA
Bulatlat.com
MANILA – The National Democratic Front of the Philippines in Southern Mindanao Region has ordered the release of two police officers who have been held prisoners of war by the New People’s Army (NPA).
The NDFP ordered the NPA ComVal Davao Gulf Sub-Regional Command to free police officers Arnold S. Ongachen and Michael B. Grande.
Ongachen was arrested by NPA guerrillas on May 29 during a raid on the Philippine National Police station in Gov. Generoso, Davao Oriental. Grande, meanwhile, was arrested June 19 by NPA ComVal – Davao Gulf Sub-Regional Command in Lupon, Davao Oriental.
In a statement, Rubi del Mundo, spokesperson of the NDFP-SMR said the order is a goodwill measure for the formal resumption of formal peace talks scheduled on Aug. 22 in Oslo, Norway.
Del Mundo said both Ongachen and Grande “have apologized for their violations against the people.” Grande has admitted to have mauled, harassed and intimidated at gunpoint several civilians in Banaybanay, Davao Oriental the NDFP said. He also regularly received payoffs from illegal gambling in the area, said the NDFP.
The NDFP-SMR said the People’s Democratic Government’s judicial proceedings and investigations into Ongachen and 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.
Del Mundo said the concerned NPA units have reported the good state of health and lenient treatment of the two prisoners despite persistent attacks of military troops in Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley.
The NDFP-SMR acknowledged President Rodrigo Duterte’s efforts that resulted in the release of 14 NDFP consultants.
Today, NDFP consultants Wilma Tiamzon, Benito Tiamzon and Loida Magpatoc were released on bail.
The NDFP-SMR said the release is “definitely a positive development in the long-sought justice for these political prisoners and a welcome deviation from the previous reactionary regimes’ militarist approach.”
Del Mundo said they expect the immediate release of the remaining 540 political prisoners in compliance of the Duterte government to the Comprehensive Agreement for Respect of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) and the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (Jasig).
The NDFP-SMR criticized the military and police for continuing to file trumped-up charges against NDFP consultants, Red fighters and activists.
“The success of the talks en route to a viable peace accord between the two governments in the Philippines rests in the main on GPH’s—especially the AFP, PNP and their paramilitaries’—adherence to previous agreements and the serious deliberation of the roots of the civil war,” the NDFP-SMR said.
The Communist Party of the Philippines has announced that it will issue, over the next few days, a unilateral declaration of ceasefire to the New People’s Army and the people’s militias to further boost the peace negotiations. 
