NPA shows proof of life of captured cop

DAVAO CITY, Philippines  – The New People’s Army has shown proof of life that indeed captive policeman PO3 Jorge Sabatin is still alive several days after he was snatched by the communist guerrillas in a checkpoint in Trento, Agusan del Sur recently.

The custodial unit of the Conrado Heredia Command-Front 20 Operations Command of the NPA released Sunday voice clips and photos of Sabatin. 

Sabatin was one of the policemen detailed in the 1403rd Police Provincial Mobile Group extortion outpost which the Red fighters overran Feb. 1 in Pulang Lupa, Trento, Agusan del Sur. 

Ka Roel Agustin II, spokesman of the CHC-NPA, said that Sabatin surrendered to the Red Army and was declared prisoner of war. 

Agustin said the Red Army upholds the rights of its prisoners of war in conjunction with the Geneva Conventions and international humanitarian law. 

“Amid the enemy’s so-called rescue operations cum combat operations, POW Sabatin’s safety and security is assured inside the territories of the People’s Democratic Government and his basic necessities are provided under the guerilla conditions of his captivity.” 

In the voice clip, Sabatin assured his family that he is safe and well, and his rights are fully respected pursuant to his status as prisoner of war. 

He urged his superiors especially Agusan del Sur Gov. Edward Adolph “Eddiebong” Plaza to stop the military operations for his expeditious investigation and possible release. 

“As in the past, the AFP/PNP rescue operations only ended up as complete failures,” said Agustin.

On Feb. 11, the futility of these AFP/PNP combat operations was punctuated by a disastrous misencounter between the Scout Rangers Company and the 75th Infantry Battalion of the AFP and the Special Action Force and the PPMG of the PNP in Sitio Cogonon, Barangay Salvacion in Trento, Agusan Sur. 

Two fascist troops were killed and another two were severely wounded in the misencounter.