Philippine Air Force (PAF) officials made this appeal to the New People’s Army (NPA) who seized Maj. Neptune Eliquin, of the 355th Engineering Brigade based at Basa Airbase in Floridablanca town, last July 3 a few kilometers from his base.
Capt. Joselito Munar, chief of the administrative branch and information technology officer of the PAF’s public information office, told The STAR that Eliquin remains alive in the hands of the NPA which has reportedly taken him somewhere in Isabela.
"Yes, we want his captors to set him free before Christmas so he can be with his family," Munar said.
He said the PAF is appealing for Eliquin’s release, although he clarified that this is not a form of negotiation with the rebels.
The military has maintained that it would not negotiate Eliquin’s release with the rebels, although officials of the Armed Forces Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) said they would welcome a "third party" to negotiate his freedom.
Munar said the rebels have allowed Eliquin to get in touch with his family via cellphone calls.
He said PAF authorities have been helping Eliquin’s family make appeals to his captors through the media.
Eliquin was unarmed and was involved in civic projects for Aetas in the mountains of Floridablanca town when two groups of NPA rebels seized him.
Munar said Eliquin’s wife and three children are staying in a housing facility at Basa Airbase.
Charges of abduction have been filed against Eliquin’s captors believed headed by Larry Lozano, alias Ka Turi, of the NPA’s Lino Blas Command, and Eduardo Ebuque, alias Ka Edu, of the Palermo Ortanez Command.
Earlier, Col. Preme Monta, Nolcom spokesman, cited reports that the NPA has declared Eliquin a "prisoner of war," but said, "We do not accept the belligerency status of the NPA."
He said Eliquin’s abduction was a "plain act of terrorism," pointing out that Eliquin is a non-combatant and was unarmed when he was abducted, which is in violation of the Geneva Convention."
Monta said the military considers Eliquin as a kidnap victim, not a prisoner of war.
"It seems that the NPA is violating the same rules it claims to uphold," he said.
Monta said the military would not bargain with the NPA for Eliquin’s release.
"This is not the policy of the Armed Forces which is firm on such a stand. Our soldiers have been trained in such a situation. It is part of their job," he said.