Army renews call for NPA release of 3 Rizal cops

CAMP CAPINPIN, Tanay, Rizal, Philippines – The Army yesterday called on the New People’s Army to immediately release the three policemen they have been holding captive since January, after the lawmen have been reportedly cleared of any alleged human rights violations.

Maj. Gen. Roland Detabali, chief of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division said Inspector Rex Cuntapay, PO1 Alberto Umali and PO1 Marvin Agasen should be released without any condition after having proven that they did not commit violations of human rights.

He said that as of their latest information, the lawmen are in good condition.

“We believe they are alright so we hope the NPA would release them without any fanfare,” he said in a briefing here.

Detabali said that while they are calling for the immediate release of the three policemen, the military and police would stick to its “no-negotiation” policy and that troops in the area would maintain the pressure being applied to the rebels, in a bid to force them to release their captives.

“There have been calls for a third party negotiator and for the suspension of military operations, but we cannot give them that,” he said.

Also yesterday, Detabali led the presentation of Marilyn Anayat alias Ka Hannah, the NPA rebel who was part of the group that ambushed the policemen on Jan. 3 in Rodriguez town in Rizal, who is currently being treated at the 2nd ID station hospital.

During the said briefing, Anayat, 25, recounted how she was wounded by one of her comrades during the said ambush and how she was taken care of by the military.

“If not for the military, I would not be able to see my family again. I have been away from them for nine years when I was still in the movement,” an emotional Anayat told reporters.

At the same time, the Army official said they are thinking of filing charges against a Belgian national, who is posing as a member of the International Committee of the Red Cross and was negotiating for the release of Anayat from military custody.

Detabali said Van Vlierden was with the human rights group Karapatan, who went to Camp Capinpin to visit the captured rebel.

He said further verification showed that Vlierden is not connected with the ICRC, prompting them to consider the filing of charges, in partnership with the Bureau of Immigration.