Military to NPA: Release 5 soldiers without conditions

MANILA, Philippines - The military yesterday called on communist rebels to unconditionally release the five soldiers they kidnapped in Davao City, saying it would not negotiate with the insurgents.

“If they (rebels) are really concerned with the community they are fighting for, they should release the soldiers who are helping that very community without any condition,” said Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, Armed Forces public affairs chief.

“We will not negotiate with this terrorist group that kidnapped our soldiers,” he added.

Brig. Gen. Domingo Tutaan Jr., Armed Forces spokesman, said they have not received any demands from the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels behind the kidnapping.

“We will not request for any concession,” he said.

The five soldiers, who are involved in development projects, were snatched last Monday while buying food in Paquibato district in Davao City.

Seized were Cpl. Emmanuel Quezon, Pfcs. Ronald Gura, Bernie Padilla, and Donato Estandia, and Pvt. Marteniano Pasiagas Jr. Officials said they were unarmed and were in civilian attire. A certain 1Lt. Neven Canitan was able to elude the rebels.

The NPA’s 1st Pulang Bagani Battalion based in Southern Mindanao declared the kidnapped soldiers as “prisoners of war.”

In a statement, the NPA said their operations were meant to punish the military “for continuing to encroach, settle and conduct psychological warfare and intelligence operations in all villages of Paquibato district.”

Meanwhile, the military is now pursuing the NPA rebels who attacked an agro-industrial firm in Esperanza, Agusan del Sur and killed five of its workers last Tuesday.

Police identified the five slain civilians as Felipe Hadraque, Remy Polintan, Jun Tria, Danny Crispulo Lemonsag, and Angel Cusan.

“We call on all sectors to condemn this act by the NPA because this is clearly a violation of human rights. The (victims are) non-combatants,” Zagala said.

Meanwhile, suspected NPA guerrillas killed Sgt. Arnel Porcalla, detachment commander of the 1st Civilian Armed Auxiliary of the Army’s 22nd Infantry Battalion based in Irosin, Sorsogon, and a militiaman, Oliver Delloson, during a fiesta celebration last Monday.

In Masbate, suspected rebels also gunned down a civilian, Julian Bersales, 34, while on his way home in Cataignan town. – With Ben Serrano, Celso Amo