NPA: Captured soldiers being treated well

The New People’s Army (NPA) has released on the Web pictures of two soldiers captured by its Romulo Jallores Command during a clash in Tinambac, Camarines Sur last March 1, which it claimed showed their "humane and lenient treatment."

The NPA said the seven digital photos of 1Lt. Ronaldo Fedelino and Pfc. Ronel Nemenio, available at the website of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) at www.philippinerevolution.org, were taken last March 1 and 2.

The two soldiers were seized after a firefight that ensued when the communist rebels ambushed a contingent of the Army’s 42nd Infantry Battalion in Barangay Bataan, Tinambac town. Three soldiers were killed in the incident.

According to the CPP-NPA, the pictures of Fedelino and Nemenio should "assure their families and loved ones, as well as the general public, that the POWs (prisoners of war) are being treated with leniency, respect for their human rights and concern for their safety and well-being."

Earlier, CPP-NPA spokesman Gregorio Rosal urged President Arroyo to order a halt to all military operations against the NPA in Camarines Sur to give way to negotiations for the two soldiers’ safe release from captivity.

But the Armed Forces rejected this and instead sent out troops and Scout Ranger units to undertake search-and-rescue operations. — With James Mananghaya