Bishop lambasts Reyes' stance vs NDF demand

Sorsogon Bishop Jesus Varela assailed Armed Forces chief Gen. Angelo Reyes yesterday for rejecting the demand of the National Democratic Front (NDF) for a five-week suspension of counter-insurgency offensive in Southern Tagalog to pave the way for the release of a police officer and a soldier whom communist rebels are holding captive.

In a statement, Varela aired apprehension that Reyes' hardline stance might cause the death of one of the NPA captives, or worse, both of them.

Army Maj. Noel Buan, an intelligence officer, and Chief Inspector Abelardo Martin, police chief of Dolores, Quezon, were abducted separately in Quezon last year.

The bishop also tendered his resignation from the National Peace Forum, which is initiating local peace talks with communist rebels.

He was a member of an independent humanitarian mission which went to the Netherlands last year to facilitate the release of Buan and Martin.

"This lack of cooperation by the military, from the civilian point of view, is a callous disregard for the liberty and safety of their own men. It is a heartless and crass indifference to the suffering of the families of the captives," Varela said.

"What is a few weeks of cessation of hostilities compared to the saving of a human life? A single human life is precious . . . If we can save it, let's do everything we can to save it . . . Man, even if he is a soldier in combat, is not expendable and cannot be wantonly sacrificed like a pawn in a game of the generals," the bishop added.

Reyes has stood firm on his decision not to temporarily halt operations in Southern Tagalog as the NDF leaders demanded.

He said the rebels will only use the suspension of military offensive to consolidate their forces, extort more money and build up arms.

"I see this intransigence as an unconscionable rebuff by the military establishment under Gen. Reyes . . . to earnestly mediate the release of these captives," Varela said.

The bishop said the Armed Forces' "unacceptable and insensitive attitude" has compelled him to withdraw his membership in the National Peace Forum.