Special Forces Commander Held As Prisoner Of War Is Released By Rebels In Mindanao

Philippine communist rebels free First Lieutenant Vicente Cammayo, of the Special Forces, on January 6, 2008 after more than two months in captivity. (AKP Images / Ruby Thursday More)

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Dec. 6, 2008) - Communist rebels released Tuesday a Special Forces commander held as prisoner of war after two months in captivity in the southern Philippines.

Rigoberto Sanchez, a spokesman for the New People's Army, said Cammayo’s release was a gesture of goodwill. The officer was freed near the town of Laac in Compostela Valley province.

“This is a gesture of goodwill on the part of the Communist Party of the Philippines on the occasion of its 40th anniversary. It further manifests the good faith of the NPA to its earlier statement in relation to the said POW's release on the first week of the New Year,” he said.

The rebels earlier suspended the release of Cammayo after government forces launched an offensive in the province on January 1.

“Were it not for the 10th Infantry Division-AFP's arrogance and callous disregard for the well-being and safety of the POWs, 1st Lt. Cammayo would have been reunited with his wife and family much earlier. As it was, the Armed Forces of the Philippines made sure that multi-sectoral initiatives for a negotiated release and cessation of military operations remain unheeded despite appeals from the POWs' wives, GRP local political leaders and church people,” Sanchez said.

Cammayo was captured Nov. 7 after rebel forces attacked his unit and killed two soldiers and a government militia in a fierce firefight in Casoon village in the town of Monkayo in Compostela Valley province.

The NPA originally ordered the release of Cammayo on December 28.

Sanchez said the army officer was not harmed during his captivity despite government offensives against the NPA.

“All his rights were respected as guaranteed under the International Humanitarian Law, the GRP-NDFP Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law and the NPA's Rules of Discipline. The NPA policy of humane and lenient treatment of POWs was practiced,” he said.

Sanchez accused the military of human rights violations in Compostela valley during its two-month rescue operations to free Cammayo. He said many civilians were also displaced by the military offensives.

The military said the release of Cammayo was a concerted efforts of the local government officials, family of the freed officer, and the security forces in Compostela Valley.

“There is no reason for anybody to be grateful to the NPA for the release of Ly. Cammayo. The release of Lt. Cammayo is not an act of goodwill. Being a clear criminal act, those who are behind the abduction must be held responsible under a legitimate justice system and we shall continue our vigorous military operation to pursue the abductors.”

“We maintain that the military was not involved in any negotiations, but rather an intensified rescue operation mission has been mapped out upon his abduction. The abduction of Lt. Cammayo serves as a reminder that these communist-terrorists will not spare anyone from the perils of their treacherous attacks. We appeal to the public to remain calm at all times,” said Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, a military spokesman.

The rebels last month freed a captured policeman Eduardo Tumol, who was also seized Nov. 5 at a checkpoint in the village of Baogo in Davao Oriental's Caraga town.

Sanchez previously said that both Tumol and Cammayo were investigated for possible human rights violations and other crimes related to the operations of the Special Forces and the Provincial Mobile Group in Mindanao.

Aris Francisco, spokesman of the NPA's Alejandro Lanaja Command, accused the 3rd Special Forces Battalion to which Cammayo's unit belongs, as responsible for the series of violations to human rights, protocols of war and international humanitarian law in Compostela Valley province.

The NPA, armed wing of the outlawed Communist Party of the Philippines, is fighting the government the past four decades for the establishment of a Maoist state in the country. Peace talks between Manila and the CPP-NPA collapsed in 2004 after both sides failed to sign an agreement ending hostilities in the countryside. (Mindanao Examiner)