By GRACE S. UDDIN
Davao Today
DAVAO CITY– The New People’s Army in Southern Mindanao said military operations have hampered the release of Corporal Dominador Alegre, the detachment commander captured in an NPA raid in Barangay New Kapatagan in Monkayo town two weeks ago.
Rigoberto Sanchez, spokesperson of the NPA�s Merardo Arce Command, said in an emailed statement that the NPA was about to release Alegre but the military operations have been preventing them from doing so. The NPA
wanted a stop to the military operations before they can release Alegre, the statement said.
Alegre was captured on November 2, when the NPA raided the detachment he headed in Barangay New Kapatagan in Monkayo town. The NPA seized 18 high-powered firearms and took Alegre during the raid to �investigate him for possible human rights violations,� Sanchez� statement said.
Sanchez said the NPA will release Alegre on humanitarian grounds. Alegre�s custodial unit, the NPA�s fourth Pulang Bagani Company, is still deciding on the actual date of the release depending on the �security situation on the ground.�
�Any further delay in the safe return of Corporal Alegre to his family is caused by the ruthless display of fascist arrogance by the 10th ID of the AFP,� the statement said. The statement also described the military’s operations to rescue Alegre as an effort to �save face.�
Despite the appeals of Alegre�s family to the military to stop the operations, the 10th Infantry Division said in a statement they will continue the operations to rescue Alegre.
But Sanchez said, �The military only keeps on blaming Alegre for the raid of the detachment.�
Sanchez said that even if the military hinders the release of Alegre, the NPA will continue to work with Alegre�s family and other well-meaning individuals and groups to find ways for his safe release. (Grace S. Uddin/davaotoday.com)
Liberation Movements, merardo arce command
