BUTUAN
CITY: NPA rebels suspected of kidnapping three Surigao del Norte policemen want
Vice President Jejomar Binay to act as chief negotiator in behalf of the PNP,
reports reaching The Philippine Preview said.
Last
week, relatives of the abducted policemen pleaded to the government to
negotiate with NPA rebels for the release of the three policemen.
The
abducted police officers are now into their eighteenth day ordeal.
The
Philippine Preview reported earlier the names of the policemen as PO3 Democrito
O. Polvorosa, PO1 Marichel Unclara Contemplo and PO1 Jonrey M. Amper.
Both
Polovosrosa and Contemplo were reported abducted somewhere in Pungtod, Alegria, Surigao del
Norte while Amper was seized in Malimono.
The
NPA rebels claimed the abductions as they sent word that they wanted suspension
of military operations in Alegria town, Surigao del Norte Mayor Dominador Esma
Jr. said the other day.
Esma
said there is no designated negotiating team yet but he still informed Gov. Sol
Folcadilla Matugas, Provincial Crisis Committee head, of the NPA’s request.
But
4th ID acting spokesman 1st Lt. Patrick Martinez confirmed that there is an
on-going and continuing joint military and police operations launched in search
for the missing three policemen.
Last
Saturday, NPA rebels said they want Binay to negotiate with them as “a gesture
of goodwill.”
The
NPA rebels claimed DILG Sec. Mar Roxas broke down on his promise when he
facilitated in the release of four policemen earlier kidnapped in Kitcharao.
(WITH REPORTS FROM BEN SERRANO)