[Inquirer] Maoist militants in Mindanao on Thursday said they were finalizing the release of six soldiers, militiamen and a policeman in their custody even while fighting continues on the ground.Joaquin Jacinto, spokesman for the National Democratic Front of the Philippines in Mindanao, identified four of those set to be released. He said two other captives would be released by the New People's Army unit holding them. Jacinto said the decision to release their captives was a "gesture of support for the resumption of formal talks between the [government] and the NDFP."
In an earlier statement, Maj. Gen. Rafael Valencia, commander of the military’s 10th Infantry Division, said President Duterte ordered the military to continue the offensive against NPA militants even while efforts to rescue their captives were continuing. He said if NPA insurgents were serious about talking peace, they should lay down their arms and stop their attacks on government troops and other targets.