DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Nov. 14, 2013) – Communist rebels on Thursday demanded the pull out of military forces in two towns in the southern Philippines as a condition for the safe release of 5 prisoners of war.
Rubi del Mundo, a spokesperson for the New People’s Army, said the prisoners – Mansanitas village chieftain Lito Andalique and council members Marvin Bantuasan, Crisanto Piodos, Balaba Andalique, and militiaman and tribal member Pepe Subla – have apologized to the rebel group for their “counter-revolutionary and anti-people activities”.
“They have already apologized for their counter-revolutionary and anti-people activities and have pledged to desist from being active paramilitary forces that participate and condone the human rights abuses under the Oplan Bayanihan,” Del Mundo said, referring to the government’s anti-insurgency campaign.
The prisoners were captured in a daring raid on October 24 and since then government forces have launched several rescue missions, but failed.
Del Mundo has demanded the pull out of government troops in the villages of Binucayan, Balite, Pangkat, Johnson, Santa Theresa, San Mariano, Kauswagan, Sabud, Kasapa 1, Kasapa 2, and Valentina, all in Loreto town in Agusan; and the village of Datu Dabaw in Laak town in Compostela Valley province – to ensure the safety and security of the prisoners and their NPA custodians.
“Provided that the Eastern Mindanao Command suspends its military operations in at least eleven villages of Loreto town in Agusan del Sur and Compostela Valley, the National Democratic Front Southern Mindanao will release the five prisoners of war who have been under the custody of Comval North Davao South Agusan Sub-Regional Command- New People’s Army since October 24,” Del Mundo said.
Del Mundo said the military rescue operations launched by the 26th Infantry Battalion have only resulted in more atrocities against innocent civilians and the murder of peasant leaders and massive bombings that severely affected farming communities in the provinces.
“In the last few weeks, this same military unit has ransacked the peasant’s homes, destroyed their properties, and looted their farm animals,” Del Mundo said. “The 26th Infantry Battalion’s combat operations camouflaged as rescue activities for the POWs in the last few weeks have miserably failed in securing for the release of the captives.”
Rebel forces have so far killed and wounded at least three dozen soldiers in a series of offensives since July in the provinces where the NPA is supporting the local tribesmen in opposing mining, palm oil and other foreign incursions in areas considered as farming and ancestral domain.
“Indeed, despite the display of brutality and use of superior military force by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the masses, people’s militia and the revolutionary movement have persevered in fighting for justice and defending the gains of the armed struggle,” Del Mundo said.
The NPA, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, has been fighting for decades now for the establishment of a separate state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
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