PRESS RELEASE
Information Bureau
Communist Party of the Philippines

Malacañang, Not AFP, Should Have Say Re POWs -- CPP
March 17, 2004

The Communist Party of the Philppines said today that it is Malacañang and not the Armed Forces of the Philippines that should have say on matters that concern government policy and not confined to military operations, such as the issue of negotiating for the release of captured government soldiers.

CPP spokesperson Gregorio "Ka Roger" Rosal was refering to the conspicuous absence of any government declaration on whether to negotiate or not with the National Democratic Front for the release of two government soldiers who are being held as prisoners of war (POWs) by the New People’s Army. 1st Lt Ronaldo Fedelino and PFC Ronel Lemiño surrendered to the NPA on March 1 in a firefight at Baranggay Bataan, Tinambak, Camarines Sur and have since been under NPA custody.

Rosal noted that the Arroyo government has, instead, allowed the military to keep repeating that they will not negotiate for the release of the POWs. He said that negotiations for release of captured government soldiers is no longer the province of the military but the sole responsibility and act of the government.

Rosal also criticized the Arroyo government for being as conspicuously indifferent as its military to the situation of their own soldiers who are under captivity by the NPA. “Masyadong nalululong si Arroyo sa pangangampanya para sa sarili. Wala siyang ipinamamalas na anumang pakialam sa kapakanan, kaligtasan at kahihinatnan ng mga sundalo niyang nabihag ng NPA.” (Arroyo is so engrossed in campaigning for herself. She has no shown no interes at all for the welfare, safety and fate of her soldiers held captive by the NPA.)

Rosal said that since the capture of the two POWs, the CPP has been calling upon the Arroyo government to order the AFP to lift its military operations in the province and surrounding areas, and to instruct the government peace panel get in touch with its National Democratic Front counterpart to discuss terms for the safe and orderly release of the POWs.

He noted that the only answer came in the form of statements by the AFP’s outright rejection of any negotiation and its insistence on pursuing military operations in Camarines Sur.

Rosal said that the POWs are being treated well and with humanitarian leniency by their NPA custodians and accorded the rights of prisoners of war as provided for by the Geneva Conventions and also guaranteed by the policies and rules of the CPP and NPA.

The CPP spokesperson said that, in the meantime, relentless AFP military operations in Camarines Sur have resulted in numerous military abuses and violations of human rights of the people in many towns and barrios of Camarines Sur.

Rosal cited among others the abduction of Isiderio de los Santos of Barangay Del Carmen, Lagonoy, a local Bayan Muna coordinator, who remains missing to date; the illegal detention of the five other local residents who were also earlier abducted; the sexual molestation of 14-year old Mary Jane Abellana; and the mauling of several civilians, including Samuel Magracia of Barangay Mabini, Goa and Anakpawis coordinator Gilbert Quilingan of Barangay Antipolo, Tinambac and many others in Barangay Lamon, Goa and Barangay Pinamihagan, Lagonoy. ###

Reference:
Anne Buenaventura
Media Officer
Cellphone Number: +63910-240-3553



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