Soldiers held captive by NPA begs to Duterte: ‘Suspend military operations’

Feb. 13, 2019

Cpl. Eric Manangan (Left) and Private First Class Darlino Carino Jr. (Right) appeal for help fromm President Rodrigo Duterte to suspend military operations to pave way for their release in a video released by the New People’s Army on Wednesday, February 13, 2019. (Screenshots from the NPA’s video)

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Two soldiers being held captive by the New Peoples Army (NPA) appealed for help from President Rodrigo Duterte to cease military operations to pave way for their release.

Private First Class Darlino Carino Jr. and Cpl. Eric Manangan made their appeal in a video released by the communist rebels on Wednesday.

“To Mr. President Rodrigo Duterte, all I ask is to have our release expedited through a cessation of military operations,” Carino Jr. said of the Army’s 3rd Special Forces Battalion.

“This is all I ask so that I could be with my wife and child also because our wedding anniversary nears,” he said in Filipino.

Carino was one of the two soldiers and 12 militiamen who were captured last Dec. 18, 2018 when communist rebels overran a Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) detachment belonging to the Army’s 3rd Special Forces Battalion in New Tubigon, Sibagat, Agusan del Sur.

High-powered firearms were also seized by the communist rebels during the raid.

Also, Carino appealed to his commanding officer Maj. Muana and priest Fr. Eddie Dumalig to help expedite their release.

“Even though we are their captives, they treat us as comrades.We eat whatever they have and eat,” said a soldier named Manangan.

“To my loved ones, especially my wife and child, who I know are worried about my situation, I am keeping faith and hope that we will see and be with each other,” Manganan added.

In a previous statement, Ka Maria Malaya, spokesperson of National Democratic Front of the Philippines- North Eastern Mindanao Region said that the planned release of the prisoners of war is “hampered” by the continuous military operations.

The NPA called upon the officials in Agusan del Sur to create conditions to ensure the safe and smooth release of the POWs.

They also challenged the AFP command to implement a Suspension Of Military Operations (SOMO) and Suspension Of Police Operations (SOPO), if “they are genuinely concerned for the welfare of the captured troops.” (davaotoday.com)

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