Military rejects leftist rebels' demand to halt operations in Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) today thumbed down the demand of leftist rebels to suspend military operations in Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental.

The AFP made the pronouncement after leftist rebel group New People's Army (NPA) called for the suspension of offensive military operation (SOMO) as a condition for the release of two soldiers who were kidnapped earlier by leftist rebels.

Major General Aurelio Baladad, commander of the military's Eastern Mindanao Command, accused the leftist rebels of calling for a SOMO "so they could evade pursuing government troops."

Allan Juanito, spokesman of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA's North Central Mindanao Regional, called for the SOMO starting today so they can release Private First Class Marnel Cinches and Jerrel Yurong, both detailed with the Philippine Army's 8th Infantry Battalion.

Juanito said the NPA is seeking the SOMO in parts of Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental provinces to "ensure the security of all who will participate in and witness the release."

He also said the NPA will no longer investigate the two soldiers "as a gesture of its sincerity" in hoping for the resumption of stalled peace negotiations between the Philippine government and the CPP's negotiating arm, the National Democratic Front.

The two soldiers were kidnapped while on their way to a " livelihood mission" in Buntungon village, Impasug-ong town in Bukidnown province. Cinches and Yurong were unarmed and were not in uniform when they were seized by the rebels.