The Eastern Mindanao Command on Tuesday announced that it is implementing a five-day SOMO (suspension of military offensive) in Surigao Del Norte and Agusan Del Norte which started last Sunday.
This is to facilitate the release of four police officers earlier abducted by the rebels during their attack at the Alegria Municipal Police Station last July 10.
Areas now under SOMO include the municipalities of Placer, Bacuag, Tubod, Gigakit, Claver and Alegria all of Surigao Del Norte and in Santiago, Kitcharao and Jabonga all of Agusan Del Norte.
Capt. Alberto Caber, Eastern Mindanao Command spokesperson, said the SOMO directive is issued by Armed Forces of the Philippines’ headquarters.
The five-day ceasefire temporarily prevents the Armed Forces of the Philippines from the conduct of deliberate offensive operations against the New People’s Army (NPA) except on movements or activities aimed to support the civil authorities, government instrumentalities and other agencies in promoting peace, development and humanitarian assistance programs.
Caber said that continuous joint Army and PNP pursuit operations in the above-mentioned provinces resulted to 13 encounters with several NPA members killed in the course of the firefight while the wounded rebels were brought to different places as they scampered for safety and evade our forces. PNA
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