AFP nixes talks with NPA for release of 2 soldiers

The Armed Forces of the Philippines is closing all doors for negotiations for the release of two Army soldiers intercepted and captured late last month by the New People’s Army in a rebel-manned checkpoint in Monkayo, Compostela Valley.

Maj. Raymundo Aguada, spokesman of the 10th Infantry Division based in Panacan, Davao City also vowed that military operations will continue to force the rebels to free Sgt. Napoleon Gerasmio and Sgt. Huberto Corbita.

Corbita, a member of the K9 unit of the 28th Infantry Battalion and Gerasmio of the 10th ID Civil Defense Force while aboard a civilian vehicle were intercepted in an NPA-manned checkpoint in the morning of April 25 at Barangay Upper Ulip, Monkayo.

“The AFP is firm in adhering to its “No Negotiation Policy”,” Aguada said.

There were reports that the rebel abductors of the two enlisted Army personnel are now urging the soldiers’ respective families to request the government and military leaderships to halt all ongoing rescue operations for their loved ones.

“This is the usual pattern of the NPA every time they hostage soldiers. They indirectly appeal to the families to request the local government or the military troops to stop the rescue operations for them to freely pursue their malevolent activities,” Aguada said.

Also, Aguada said that Corbita and Gerasmio are not POWs but plain hostages, who needed to be rescued from their terrorists’ captors.

Days after their abduction, Corbita and Garesmio were declared as POWs by the NPA who have been trying to gain control of the Monkayo mining site from the government security forces in the area.

In a rebel website, the insurgents also assured the soldiers’ families that the two POWs are being treated fairly in accordance with the provisions of the Geneva Conventions.

The rebels also said the two captured  soldiers are now undergoing custodial investigation.

But Aguada said the NPA’s cannot lay claim that the two soldiers are POWs because their organization is not recognized as a legitimate belligerent entity, but rather as bandwagon of extortionists, kidnappers, criminals and terrorists.

“After tormenting the families of the abducted individuals with worries and fears, especially by subjecting the soldiers to their kangaroo court as they always claim to be “custodial debriefing” they have still the guts to claim humane treatment in order to cover for their atrocities,” Aguada said.

A day after the abduction of the two soldiers, Aguada accused the NPA fighters of intentionally shooting two innocent children during a clash with the pursuing Army troops despite clear view of the victims in the engagement area located at Sitio Palina, Barangay San Isidro also in Monkayo.

“One of the kids was lucky enough after a militiamen who died on that particular encounter embraced the child setting aside his own life just to save and protect her from the shooting spree of the NPAs,” Aguada said.