Compostela Valley province Governor Arturo “Chiongkee” Uy, who facilitated the release, said he’s happy that the soldiers are finally released by the NPA.
But Uy also condemned the NPA for abducting soldiers. “First, it’s very difficult for the families of the hostages. It’s a traumatic experience for them,” he said.
Although the government of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has tagged the Communist movement as terrorists, Uy still opted to take part in the safe release of the soldiers from their NPA captors.
“It’s a call of duty. I have to protect the lives of my constituents,” he said.
ON GUARD. Members of the New People’s Army’s 5th Pulang Bagani Company guard the area for the safe release of their captive. (davaotoday.com photo by Barry Ohaylan)
The governor also said he will do the same even for people who are not his constituents when a similar thing happens within his province.
Corbita’s wife Jocelyn thanked the NPA for freeing her husband. “I’m very happy that they did not hurt him,” she said.
LIGHT TALK. Compostela Valley Governor Arturo Uy (second from left) chats with a member of the New People’s Army who promptly left the area after the release. (davaotoday.com photo by Barry Ohaylan)
But Datuin did not want to thank the NPA for the safe release of the soldiers. He said the release was the result of the strong pressure and the close coordination between the local government and the military. “Definitely, the pressure was mounted by the military,” Datuin said. “We are still after the NPA. We cannot let any of these things to happen again,” he added.
Datuin said that the AFP plans to crush the revolutionary movement by 2010.
Tim said the war will continue if poverty and inequality will remain in the country. (Marilou M. Aguirre/davaotoday.com)
