Captured Army officer says he's safe in NPA-released video

An Army officer captured by communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels during an encounter in Compostela Valley early November appeared in a video and assured viewers he is safe in the hands of his captors.

The two-minute, 41-second video released by the NPA’s Medardo Arce Command showed 1Lt. Vicente Cammayo, in uniform and sporting a mustache, telling his family that he is being treated well by his captors and was not wounded during the encounter with the rebels.

Cammayo said his captors have treated him humanely and provided all necessary assistance during his 25 days in captivity.

At the same time, Cammayo urged his wife Mariel and his mother Cecilia not to worry and pray for his immediate release.

Cammayo was leading a group of the Army’s 3rd Special Forces Battalion when they encountered a group of NPA rebels at Sitio Anagase, Barangay Casoon, in Monkayo last Nov. 7.

Cammayo was captured during the encounter that also claimed the lives of three soldiers and a civilian volunteer.

The video clip was released following appeals from relatives of the captive military officer but also from various sectors including local officials and non-government organizations.

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte offered to negotiate for Cammayo’s release as well of that of police officer Eduardo Tumol of the provincial police mobile group who was earlier abducted by the NPA in a separate incident in Baganga, Davao Oriental.

Mariel, who is pregnant but had to travel from Northern Luzon to Davao City, urged Duterte and the authorities to work for her husband’s safe release.

“Please let my husband come home before Christmas,” Mariel appealed.

Sources revealed Cammayo might be released by the NPA early next week, or before Dec. 10 to mark the International Human Rights’ Day.

Both Cammayo and Tumol were reportedly being investigated by the NPA for their alleged involvement in human rights violations in the areas where they were deployed.

It was the first time that the NPA released information about the present condition of Cammayo, who according to his captors, is being investigated for possible “crimes against human rights and international humanitarian laws.

Cammayo, according to the NPA, led his team during a brigade-size military operation in Monkayo town early last month when he was captured by the rebels’ Alejandro Lanaja Command.

Last week, Cammayo’s family called on Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro to ensure the immediate release of the Army officer from captivity.

Army spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner said the video released by NPA establishes that Cammayo was captured and held against his will, contrary to the rebels’ claim that the Army officer surrendered to them after the clash.

“This (video) will not hinder the operations being conducted by the military to rescue him,” he said.

Brawner said they would still press the manhunt for the rebels amid appeals for a peaceful and safe release of Cammayo.  – With Jaime Laude