PRO 11: No nego with NPA

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.
The Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 is taking a firm stand not to enter into negotiations for the release of the captured police station commander in Davao City and his four subordinates who are in the custody of New People’s Army (NPA).
PRO 11 regional director Chief Supt. Manuel Gaerlan said in yesterday’s AFP-PNP Press Corps at Task Force Davao headquarters, any government offices and agencies are not allowed to negotiate with any group who committed criminal acts such as abduction.
Gaerlan, however, said the PRO 11 will welcome any initiative from different groups and individuals who are willing to negotiate with the rebel group for the safe release of Chief Insp. Leonardo V. Tarongoy, Police Officer (PO)3 Rosenie L. Cabuenas, PO3 Rudolf Pacete, PO3 Abdul Azis A. Ali Jr and PO2 Neil C. Arellano.
“We do not say that negotiation is not allowed but only for us in the PNP (Philippine National Police),” he said.
He said the PRO 11 will not seek any help from any individual or group who will negotiate with the rebels.
Gaerlan said he received information that the family of the victims has sought help to Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte for the immediate release of the police officers.
He said he has not yet received any demands from the rebels for the release of the five police.
Meanwhile, Gaerlan said the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) formed the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) Mapula to gather information and evidence for possible filing of charges against the abductors.
“This case involves the lives and safety of the police officers,” he said.
Gaerlan said the operations of police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Paquibato District.
“I will just hope and pray that this will not endanger the lives of our police officers,” he said.
He said he appealed to the NPA to release the five police because they did not commit crimes against the people.
“They are not the enemies of the people, they are public servants,” he said.
Gaerlan said a certain Rigoberto Sanchez, spokesperson of the NPA Regional Operations Command- Southern Mindanao Region (ROC-SMR), states that the 1st Pulang Bagani Command is responsible for the abduction of the police officers and claims that the PNP personnel are held as “Prisoners of War”.
“The Police Officers are civilians and not military personnel or combatants,” he added.
He also said the lawless act committed against the law enforcers is not acceptable since the country is not at war and there is no declaration of war.
Gaerlan said Taronggoy and his four subordinates went to Barangay Mapula last April 16 to respond to the call from the residents who were wounded in the gun battle against the soldiers of the 72nd Infantry Battalion.
He said if the rebels will hurt or kill the police officers they are criminally liable.
“We are not in the business of revenge, if they kill a person that is murder,” he said.
Gaerlan also called on the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to investigate the case because based on the information he got the five police officers are tied or handcuffed to make shift animal cages under sub-human conditions.