The New People’s Army (NPA) said military operations have made the ‘safe and orderly release’ of a captured Army officer ‘not feasible.’ Earlier, the NPA released on Christmas eve Police Officer 3 Eduardo C. Tumol, a member of the 1105th Regional Mobile Group of the Philippine National Police.
BY BULATLAT
The New People’s Army (NPA) said military operations have made the ‘safe and orderly release’ of a captured Army officer ‘not feasible.’
1Lt. Vicente P. Cammayo, commander of the 11th Company of the Army’s 3rd Special Forces was arrested by the NPA on November 7 last year.
In a statement sent through email, Rigoberto Sanchez, spokesperson of the NPA’s Merardo Arce Command-Southern Mindanao Regional Operations Command said that the continuing military operations is ‘a big impediment to the safe and orderly procedure of Cammayo’s release and his eventual reunion with his family.’
He said that elements of the 10th Infantry Division of the Armed Forces of the Philippines have resumed operations as early as January 1 in Laak, Compostela Valley Province.
The NPA said the scheduled release of Cammayo on the first week of January has been affected by these operations. Cammayo’s release will be reset until such time that all offensive military operations are ceased so as ‘to ensure the safety and security of the receiving party,’ the NPA further said.
The NPA ordered Cammayo’s release on December 28, 2008 as an ‘act of good will’ in celebration of the Communist Party of the Philippines’ (CPP) 40th anniversary.
Earlier, the NPA released on Christmas eve Police Officer 3 Eduardo C. Tumol, a member of the 1105th Regional Mobile Group of the Philippine National Police.
The Merardo Arce Command-NPA said they released Tumol on humanitarian grounds and as a response to the appeals of individuals, personalities and his family for his release.
Tumol was arrested November 5, 2008 at Cateel, Davao Oriental. The NPA said he was investigated for alleged crimes.
The NPA said Tumol was a Marcos-trained Philippine Constabulary personnel in 1984 and became a Philippine Constabulary regular two years after. He continued to serve under the Philippine National Police for 17 years and was assigned in Banay-Banay, Lupon, Cateel and Boston, all in Davao Oriental province.
The rebels said Tumol was accorded his rights in accordance with his status as prisoner of war.(Bulatlat.com)
