Field commanders to negotiate release of 2 soldiers

Malacañang has designated military field commanders to negotiate the release of two soliders held hostage by the New People’s Army in the Bicol region following the suspension of military offensives (SOMO) in two Bicol provinces as earlier demanded by the communist rebels.

Defense Secretary Eduardo Ermita announced yesterday that the government will extend the SOMO to pave the way for the release of 1Lt Ronaldo Fidelino and Pfc Ronnel Nemeno, who were captured in Camarines Sur last March.

In a media briefing in Camp Aguinaldo, Ermita said the SOMO will be good from the time of release and seven days after.

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said that any decision now on how to effect the prisoners’ release had to be done at the level of the field commanders.

"This is something that is being worked on the ground. My understanding is that some sort of arrangement has been reached and there are third parties who are working for the release of the military men," Bunye said.

Rep. Rolando Andaya, who claimed to have direct contact with the NPA, is one of the many private individuals actively negotiating for the release of the soldiers.

Bunye strongly took exceptions to charges that President Arroyo "flipped flopped" on her previous declaration that the government would not negotiate with the rebels, who were tagged as terrorists by the United Sates and the European Union.

"What we can emphasize at this time is that appropriate actions are being handled on the ground," Bunye said.

He earlier expressed "regrets" on the decision of the National Democratic Front (NDF) to postpone resumption of peace talks with the government over the terrorist tag issued against the NPA. — With Jaime Laude