Wednesday, August 15, 2007 Communist group prepares to release soldier
* Compostela Valley Governor Chiongkee Uy facilitating release of Marjun Gatela
THE Army soldier abducted last week by the New People's Army in Monkayo, Compostela Valley will soon be reunited with his family.
Governor Arturo "Chiongkee" Uy said Tuesday that he is facilitating the release of Private First Class Marjun Gatela from the hands of his rebel captors.
"Gatela might be released today (Tuesday) or tomorrow (Wednesday). I will facilitate his release," Uy said Tuesday.
Aside from the governor, Monkayo Vice Mayor Avelino Cabag is said to be negotiating with the rebels for the safe release of Gatela.
Cabag had previously negotiated for the release of other soldiers also abducted in the past by the rebels.
The NPA's Alejandro Lanaja Command (ALC), meanwhile, announced the "imminent release" of Gatela.
The rebel group revealed that results of the preliminary investigation conducted by the ALC showed that Gatela "has not committed serious crimes against the people on his own individual volition."
"His actions against the revolutionary movement and the people were merely a result of his being an element of the AFP. Not being an officer of his unit, POW Gatela cannot be held liable for the crimes against the people and the human rights violations committed by the 72nd IB-AFP," said Ka Aries Francisco of the ALC in a statement sent to Sun.Star Davao.
For this, Francisco said the NPA's higher command has approved Gatela's immediate release "as an exercise of the revolutionary political authority by the People's Democratic Government."
Subject to the actual conditions and security implications in the field, Gatela will be released to his wife and family. The rebel group said they will first assess the police and military troop movements before releasing the abducted soldier.
The military's Eastern Mindanao Command dispatched the Army's 60th, 72nd, and 28th Infantry Battalions to Monkayo to rescue Gatela.
Gatela was captured last August 10 after a firefight in Sitio Kidapang, Barangay San Isidro in Monkayo, Compostela Valley. One militiaman was killed while another was wounded in the encounter.
Gatela reportedly surrendered to the rebels, who also seized his M16 service rifle. (BOT)
