Woman appeals for help in securing husband’s release from the NPAs

The wife of an Army officer who was taken by the New People’s Army (NPA) last February appealed to the government for help in negotiating for his release the other day.

Lea Fedelino asked the Philippine Army leadership to help her in securing the release of her husband, 1Lt. Ronaldo Fidelino.

According to Army spokesman Lt. Col. Buenaventura Pascual, Fidelino was captured by rebels during an ambush in Barangay Tamban, Tinambac, Camarines Sur last Feb. 29.

Fidelino headed one of the units dispatched to verify reports that around 50 NPA rebels were holed up in the area to conduct checkpoints. Fidelino’s team was ambushed along the way and one of his men were killed while six others were wounded in the attack.

Fidelino and another soldier, Pfc. Ronel Nemeno, were reported missing after the gunfight.

In her appeal to her husband’s captors, Mrs. Fidelino said the incident has caused trauma for the entire family including their two-year-old daughter, who is celebrating her birthday on Aug. 16.

"Lea is fervently praying that her husband will be there to join them. This will be the best birthday gift that we can give to the family," Pascual said in a statement.

Fidelino, who is five months pregnant with their second child, also appealed to NPA spokesman Rogelio Rosal to allow her to speak to her husband.

Mrs. Fidelino said the family confirmed that her husband was in the NPA’s custody after the Romulo Jallores Command in the Bicol region released pictures of the prisoners last March 18.

The video showed the prisoners handcuffed and closely guarded by fully-armed NPA rebels.

Mrs. Fidelino also appealed to the Arroyo administration to exert effort in securing her husband’s release just like what the government is doing to negotiate for the release of Angelo dela Cruz from his Iraqi captors.