NPA trial of 4 captives unrattles AFP

The military is unfazed by the communists’ threat to mete "revolutionary justice" on an Army sergeant and three others they have been holding captive in Sultan Kudarat since last September.

Lt. Col. Jose Mabanta, Army spokesman, reacted to statements by the National Democratic Front (NDF) that it has ordered the NPA’s Valentin Palamine Command to activate its "kangaroo court" for the trial on spying charges of S/Sgt. Jeremias Rosete, Wilfredo Maldeser, Herminia Sorongon and Pepito Simbulan.

Mabanta said the military will not relent on its operations against terrorist groups, including the communist rebels.

Dencio Madrigal, commander of the Valentin Palamine Command, said they would continue to treat Rosete’s group as prisoners of war protected by international law.

Madrigal, however, said the NPA, the NDF’s armed wing, cannot assure their safety amid continuing military pursuits against the NPA.

The NDF ordered the trial of Rosete’s group after the Arroyo administration ignored its demand to suspend military operations from four to six weeks in Sultan Kudarat and neighboring provinces.

The four captives were abducted by the NPA in Barangay Datal Blao, Columbio, Sultan Kudarat on Sept. 4 last year.

The government has refused to negotiate their release despite the NDF’s willingness to free them on humanitarian grounds at the behest of Koronadal Archbishop Dinualdo Gutierrez.

The NDF said the government’s refusal is one of the big stumbling blocks to a possible resumption of the stalled peace talks. — Romel Bagares, Jaime Laude