Wednesday, April 30, 2008 Guv working for 3 soldiers' freedom
COMPOSTELA Valley Governor Arturo "Chiongkee" Uy is working doubly hard to secure the safe release of the three Army soldiers who are now in the hands of the New People's Army (NPA).
Two of the three soldiers were abducted just last week in Sitio Mebatas, Barangay Upper Ulip in Monkayo.
In a text message, Uy said he had been trying to make contact with the NPAs for the release of Senior Sergeants Huberto Corbita and Napoleon Jerasmeo who were abducted on April 25 around 9 a.m.
Jerasmeo, 48, was en route to meet his brother who happens to be a company guard in Diwalwal, while Corbita was supposed to be on duty when they were stopped and eventually abducted by more or less 30 NPA rebels along the road.
The two were forcibly abducted by the NPA when they were identified as soldiers.
It was learned that Jerasmeo was supposed to ask money from his brother to be used for the christening of his first grandchild.
The governor said he has not been successful in contacting the NPA yet, but he vowed to keep on until he makes a breakthrough.
Aside from the two, Sergeant Frederick Gaila is also under the hands of his rebel abductors. Gaila was abducted on September 2007.
In a statement, the Philippine Army denounced what they called "habitual offense" committed by the NPA.
"And they continue to be proud of its vicious ways. True to their disreputable character and terrorist nature, that they attacked soldiers who were not performing combat duties," the Army said.
The Army said they will adhere to the "no negotiation policy" of the government and will never negotiate with the NPA. (BOT)
