PRESS RELEASE
Information Bureau
Communist Party of the Philippines

Cease AFP operations in Camarines Sur for the sake of POWs--CPP
March 6, 2004

The Communist Party of the Philippines today reiterated its call to the Arroyo government to order the cessation of military operations in Camarines Sur and surrounding areas and to discuss with the National Democratic Front peace panel the procedure for the safe and orderly release of two prisoners of war (POWs) held by the New People's Army in the area.

CPP spokesman Gregorio "Ka Roger" Rosal explained that "unlike the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the terrorists, the NPA strictly follows international humanitarian standards on the treatment of POWs as stipulated in the Geneva Convention and its protocols."

"The NPA has repeatedly proven in the past that it respects the rights of its POWs. It has carried out their orderly release in line with international guidelines and the cooperation of the government and/or third parties," Rosal said.

An NPA unit in Camarines Sur is currently holding 1st Lt. Ronaldo Sedelino and PFC Ronel Lemi�o. The two POWs were captured after a successful NPA ambush on a section of the Philippine Army's 42nd Infantry Battalion in Tinambac, Camarines Sur in the early morning of March 2.

"The rights of Lieutenant Sedelino and PFC Lemi�o are being respected. Their health and well-being are assured by the NPA," Rosal added.

At the same time, Rosal warned the AFP against any "foolish attempt" to extricate the POWs as this would only endanger their lives and forestall their release.

Rosal recalled that in February 2001, PNP Maj. Abelardo Martin was killed by AFP soldiers during a botched rescue attempt. Major Martin was a prisoner of war of the NPA captured in 2000. The AFP attempted to rescue him at a time that the NPA was preparing to release him in line with talks between the Philippine government and the NDF negotiating panel.

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



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