NPA orders release of 2 captive soldiers

DAVAO CITY ,Philippines  – The Merardo Arce Command-Southern Mindanao Regional Operations Command of the New People’s Army has ordered the release of two captive soldiers – Cpl. Delfin Largo Sarocam and Pfc. Jayson Burgos Valenzuela. 

The two soldiers belong to the 57th Infantry Battalion under the Army’s 6th Infantry Division.

NPA guerrillas snatched them last April 14 in President Roxas town in North Cotabato for supposed investigation into their possible violations of human rights and the international humanitarian law in their anti-insurgency work.

Rigoberto Sanchez, spokesman of the Merardo Arce Command, said the release of Sarocam and Valenzuela was based on humanitarian grounds due to the appeal of their families.

Sanchez said the custodial unit of the two captive soldiers – the NPA’s Herminio Alfonso Command-Guerrilla Front 53 Operations Command – has been directed to carry out their safe and orderly release.

However, the date and place of the soldiers’ release will still be determined by the NPA unit, Sanchez added.