NPA frees Army officer after 2 months of captivity

DAVAO CITY – An Army lieutenant captured during an encounter in the Compostella Valley province last year was freed by the New People’s Army yesterday after two months of captivity.

1Lt. Vicente Cammayo was released to Red Cross representatives and a Catholic priest in the hinterlands of Sitio Lago, Barangay Kauswagan, Loreto, Agusan del Sur.

Donning a white t-shirt, Cammayo appeared to have lost weight since he was captured in Sitio Agnase, Barangay Casoon, Monkayo, Compostela Valley last Nov. 7.

Red Cross representatives later turned Cammayo over to Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and his daughter Vice Mayor Sara Duterte in Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte at around 2 p.m. yesterday.

The Dutertes had been negotiating with the NPA for the release of Cammayo for the past few weeks.

The Dutertes then flew Cammayo by helicopter to the Armed Forces Eastern Mindanao Command headquarters in Camp Panacan, where he was turned over to Maj. Gen. Armando Cunanan at 2:30 p.m. yesterday.

Cammayo’s wife, Mariel, who is reportedly eight months pregnant, was on her way to Davao City on a flight from Manila when her husband was released.

Cammayo was immediately taken to the AFP Hospital in Camp Panacan for treatment.

Duterte reportedly reprimanded Col. Joel Ybañez, Army 1003rd Infantry Brigade commander, for sending a jeepload of troops in full battle gear to the supposed turnover site in Sto. Tomas town.

Duterte said he had already asked that the area be cleared of any government forces when Cammayo would be turned over to him.

Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, Armed Forces public affairs office chief, said the military was not involved in the negotiations for the release of Cammayo.

“The release of Lieutenant Cammayo is a result of the concerted efforts of the local government officials, his family and the security forces in the area,” he said.

Torres said following the release of Cammayo, troops launched combat operations against those responsible for his kidnapping.

“There’s no reason for anybody to be grateful to the NPA for the release of Lieutenant Cammayo,” he said.

“It is not an act of goodwill. Being a clear criminal act, those who are behind the abduction must be held responsible under a legitimate justice system.”

Torres said Cammayo’s kidnapping serves as a reminder that the NPA will not spare anyone.

“Thus, we appeal to the public to remain vigilant against terrorist threats at all times,” he said.

Meanwhile, Torres said the military would support police operations to rescue three policemen who were reportedly snatched by the NPA following a landmine attack in Rodriguez, Rizal last Saturday.

“We will coordinate with them, we will support their operations to be able to resolve this situation,” he said.

“Since it’s the PNP that is leading the operations, we will support them in the conduct of the operations towards recovering their personnel.” – With James Mananghaya