DAVAO CITY – Family members of one of two captured soldiers request for their kin’s safe release after knowing they are safe.
The two soldiers, Private First Class Marjon Añover and Pfc Niño Alabaso, who are both under 25th Infantry Battalion were captured in Barangay Casoon in Monkayo last September 30.
In a press conference, Lucia Añover, mother of Pfc Añover, said she “doesn’t know what to feel” after they knew that the soldier was alive.
“We don’t know where to go, who to ask for help,” she said.
Anulfo Sumalinog, uncle of Añover said that they have been to the City Mayor’s Office to ask for help and that they were told “not to worry for they are safe.”
Sumalinog said they initially went to the Battalion command at 25th IB in Monkayo then proceeded to the headquarters of Eastern Mindanao Command in Camp Panacan.
He said they received a text message from the New People’s Army last Saturday and told them that their kins are safe and suggested that they seek the assistance of a third-party facilitator.
Rev. Angelico Confreros, Jr. of the Exodus for Justice and Peace said that the NPAs must release the soldiers if they truly abide by the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL).
Confreros said that this incident is no longer an isolated case.
“This does not only happen in Monkayo, it (happens) everywhere in the country.”
Confreros said the EJP as a third party facilitator “help families of the POW to facilitate for their safe release.”
“Part of our calling is not only to facilitate for their safe and immediate release, but also to call for the resumption of peace talks between the government and the National Democratic Front (NDF),” he said.
Confreros claims that “peace talks must resume on the table for these cases will continue if there are still fighting between the state forces and the rebel group.”
The mother and uncle of Pfc. Añover wish for him to be released before Christmas.
Mrs. Añover also requests the NPA to release her son as soon as possible for they are depending on him on the schooling of his siblings and their other needs at home. (davaotoday.com)
