NDF wants Central Luzon offensives stopped for release of abducted Army major

ANGELES CITY — For the first time since the New People’s Army (NPA) seized Air Force Major Neptune Elequin last June 2, the National Democratic Front (NDF) in Central Luzon has issued a statement declaring him a prisoner of war (POW) and saying that it is now ready to negotiate for his release.

"In accordance with the rules of engagement as stated in the Geneva Convention, and according to the NPA’s rules and policies, Maj. Elequin’s rights are being guaranteed. As much as possible, given the abnormal conditions brought about by the raging war in the countryside, the POW is being accorded humane treatment by the NPA custodial force assigned to him," the statement sent to the local media yesterday by NDF spokesperson Jorge de los Reyes read.

The statement came three days after Philippine Air Force spokesperson Captain Joselito Munar issued an appeal to Elequin’s captors to release him soon so he could spend Christmas with his family.

"We are reassuring the wife and family of Major Elequin that his health and well-being are being attended to by the NDF and the NPA," the statement said.

It was revealed that Elequin is being held captive by the Palermo Ortanez Command of the NPA but the statement did not say where he was being held.

The NDF blamed the Arroyo administration for its alleged lack of "concern whatsoever for the safety of its own officers and personnel" and for "remaining insensitive to the appeal of Major Elequin’s wife for assistance.

"The continuous massive military operations unleashed by the Arroyo regime in Central Luzon have mindlessly trampled upon the rights of the masses, specially the peasants and the indigenous peoples. Violations of human rights have been committed by the military, including killings, disappearances and harassments," De los Reyes said in the statement.

According to the NDF, the military operations in various parts of the region "have also caused grave disruptions in the livelihood of the people because of the food blockades and restriction of movement they have enforced upon the villages covered by their operations."

It accused Major Gen. Jovito Palparan of the 7th Infantry Division of serious and growing cases of human rights abuses in the region.

"If the government wants to ensure the safety and orderly release of Major Elequin, it should immediately put a stop to its military operations in Central Luzon," it added.

Earlier, however, Armed Forces Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) spokesman Colonel Preme Monta said the military will not negotiate with the rebels and that the military considers the abduction of Elequin as a "terrorist act."

Monta pointed out that Elequin was unarmed and was on a civic mission when he was abducted by the rebels in Barangay Mawakat near his headquarters at Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga. He said Elequin could not be considered a prisoner of war since he was a non-combatant and had been assigned merely to conduct civic-medical missions in areas near Basa.