Communist rebels set captive soldier free
By Al Jacinto
The Manila Times – www.manilatimes.net
Monday, November 16, 2009
ZAMBOANGA CITY: Communist rebels have freed Sunday a captured government soldier after two weeks in captivity in the southern Philippines.
The New People’s Army (NPA), the military wing of the outlawed Communist Party, said it released Corporal Dominador Alegre on humanitarian grounds. Alegre was captured on November 2 after rebel forces raided an army post in the village of Casoon in Compostela Valley’s Monkayo town.
“Today, the Fourth Pulang Bagani Company of the Merardo Arce Command of the New People’s Army undertakes the safe and orderly release of Prisoner of War Corporal Dominador Alegre of the 72nd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army-Armed Forces of the Philippines. This is in compliance with the release order of the MAC-Southern Mindanao Regional Operations Command of the NPA,” said Ka Nadem, a rebel spokesman.
The NPA on Thursday ordered the soldier’s release, but a government rescue operation in Compostela Valley province delayed Alegre’s walk to freedom.
The rebels accused the military of launching rescue operation that could endanger Alegre’s life. The NPA said government soldiers have arrested innocent civilians and harassed villagers in Monkayo town as they searched for the captured soldier.
The NPA did not give details of the soldier’s release, but a government soldier, Private Joel Quijano, was also killed late Tuesday in a failed rescue of Alegre.
The 10th Infantry Division said it would hold Alegre responsible for the loss of the weapons during the rebel raid. It said Alegre would be court-martialed.
It said NPA rebels are also holding another soldier, Sgt. Frederick Gayla who was captured in 2007 in Davao province.
By Al Jacinto
The Manila Times – www.manilatimes.net
Monday, November 16, 2009
ZAMBOANGA CITY: Communist rebels have freed Sunday a captured government soldier after two weeks in captivity in the southern Philippines.
The New People’s Army (NPA), the military wing of the outlawed Communist Party, said it released Corporal Dominador Alegre on humanitarian grounds. Alegre was captured on November 2 after rebel forces raided an army post in the village of Casoon in Compostela Valley’s Monkayo town.
“Today, the Fourth Pulang Bagani Company of the Merardo Arce Command of the New People’s Army undertakes the safe and orderly release of Prisoner of War Corporal Dominador Alegre of the 72nd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army-Armed Forces of the Philippines. This is in compliance with the release order of the MAC-Southern Mindanao Regional Operations Command of the NPA,” said Ka Nadem, a rebel spokesman.
The NPA on Thursday ordered the soldier’s release, but a government rescue operation in Compostela Valley province delayed Alegre’s walk to freedom.
The rebels accused the military of launching rescue operation that could endanger Alegre’s life. The NPA said government soldiers have arrested innocent civilians and harassed villagers in Monkayo town as they searched for the captured soldier.
The NPA did not give details of the soldier’s release, but a government soldier, Private Joel Quijano, was also killed late Tuesday in a failed rescue of Alegre.
The 10th Infantry Division said it would hold Alegre responsible for the loss of the weapons during the rebel raid. It said Alegre would be court-martialed.
It said NPA rebels are also holding another soldier, Sgt. Frederick Gayla who was captured in 2007 in Davao province.
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