Tuesday, August 14, 2007 Communist group to prosecute captured soldier By Ben O. Tesiorna
THREE Philippine Army battalions are on a mission to rescue Private First Class Marjun Gatela, especially as the New People's Army is about to try the captured soldier in its kangaroo court for his alleged crimes against the people.
The military's Eastern Mindanao Command dispatched the Army's 60th, 72nd and 28th Infantry Battalions to Monkayo to rescue Gatela from the hands of his rebel captors.
Gatela was captured by the NPA's Alejandro Lanaja Command last August 10 after a firefight in Sitio Kidapang, Barangay San Isidro in Monkayo, Compostela Valley.
The rebels claimed to have killed three militiamen and wounded one Army soldier.
Gatela reportedly surrendered to the rebels who also seized his M16 service rifle.
Major Randolph Cabangbang, Eastmincom spokesman, said last Sunday that Gatela was sighted that morning in Barangay Casoon, Monkayo, in the company of rebels.
Gatela was said to be in the company of about 18 rebels from the Front Committee 3 under Ka Jazzy. They were last sighted in the vicinity of Sitio Sapdan.
Monkayo Vice Mayor Avelino Cabag is said to be negotiating with the rebels for the safe release of the abducted soldier.
In a statement sent to Sun.Star Davao, Ka Aries Francisco of the Alejandro Lanaja Command said their tactical offensive against the military is part of their fight against the Oplan Bantay Laya of the Arroyo administration.
The rebel group assured the safety of Gatela, saying he will be treated as a prisoner of war (POW) with his rights guaranteed in accordance with the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, and international rules of war.
If found not guilty in the group's kangaroo court, the NPA said it would immediately release the 30-year-old Gatela to his family in Tagum City.
The rebels, however, warned that the continuing military operations "will complicate Gatela's situation."
"The military and paramilitary troops will have to deal with the Red fighters who will not hesitate to attack them," the rebel spokesman said.
