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Tuesday, June 10, 2003
Soldier captured by NPA released to mayor
By Ben O. Tesiorna and Aurea A. Gerundio
DAVAO -- A Scout Ranger held prisoner by the New People's Army for 14 months now was released to Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte and International Committee of Red Cross representatives somewhere in Davao Oriental at 4:20 p.m. Monday.
Communist guerillas belonging to the Merardo Arce Command released Sgt. Ramiro G. Lawas of the Army's 60th Infantry Battalion from the NPA's Camp for Administration of Detainees (CAD).
He will be brought home first to his family before being returned to the nearest military detachment, explained Duterte.
The mayor said this is according to the agreement he made with Ka Oris, spokesman of the National Democratic Front in Mindanao, for the release of Lawas.
"Maybe I'll ask the guy to report, pahibaw-an lang ang nearest military detachment (to just let the nearest military detachment know)," Duterte told reporters.
Duterte took a potshot at the Moro Islamic Liberation Front's description of the release as a manifestation of sincerity on both sides.
"We can always declare a ceasefire and then naay mubuto nga bomba (a bomb will explode in our midst)," he said.
Excited
A priest in the archdiocese of Butuan City who was present during the release said Lawas was excited to see his family again.
"Nanghinaut siya na makabalik sa iyang trabaho sa pagsundalo," the priest added. (He is also hoping to return to his work as a soldier.)
The priest then expressed hope that peace talks between the communist rebels and government will resume.
"Mapadayon unta ang paglinkuray sa pagdialogo aron ang nausik nga kinabuhi mamenosan kung mahimo na dili madayon pinaagi lang sa pagdialogo," he said. (I wish that the peace talks would resume so the loss of more lives will be prevented.)
In receiving Lawas, Duterte thanked the rebels for respecting the soldier's rights and for following the Geneva Convention on Prisoners of War.
Doctors checked Lawas and declared them in good health.
A certain Ka Alex, one of the rebels present when Lawas was freed, said the decision to free the soldier is but a proof that the rebels still abide by the comprehensive agreement on human rights and international humanitarian laws (Cahrihl) signed between the Communist Party of the Philippines and the government even though the peace talks have been stalled.
"Para sa amoa matinud-anon ang NPA sa pagsubay niini. Ginapaabot namo sa militar kung kinsay maipit diha pwede mo pagsurender kay dili man mo ang centro sa pakigbangi, instrumento ra man mo," Ka Alex said. (We are showing that the NPA is abiding by the agreement. We are also telling the military, especially those who may find himself helpless, to just surrender because you are not the real enemies. You are but instruments of the enemy.)
Treated well
Lawas, who was sporting newly trimmed hair, white sweat shirt, gray jogging pants, gray cap and rubber boots, could not hide the happiness on his face upon his arrival at the Mariano Bainting Command headquarters.
In a brief interview, Lawas said he gained several pounds in the hands of his captors as he was treated and fed well.
"Nalipay ko ug dako na makita nako akong pamilya," he said, adding he is not sure if his family is aware of his release.
His wife Norma and his five children namely, Mary Nerian, 16; Mark Neron, 14; Mia Nina, 12; Mari Neth, 10; and his youngest child who was born while he was in captivity, are in Panibasan, Maco, Davao del Norte.
He said that as early as May 2002, he learned from his captors that they would be releasing him in June.
He added that he plans to return to military service.
A medical check-up on Lawas confirmed his statement that he was in good condition and bore no signs of torture.
Humanitarian
In a press statement announcing the rebel's intention to release the prisoner, Ka Oris, spokesman of NDF-Mindanao, said Lawas's release is based on humanitarian grounds.
He described it as "an act emanating from the exercise of the political authority of the People's Democratic Government."
"The holding and detention of POW's and their prosecution and conviction or release, depending on the culpability of POW's undergoing revolutionary judicial proceedings, are acts consistent with the revolutionary movement's assertion of its political authority, which it has accumulated in the course of the people's war," claimed Rubi del Mundo, spokesperson for NDF in Southern
Mindanao.
Rebels belonging to the 2nd Pulang Bagani Company and the Conrado Heredia Command captured Lawas along on Road 55, Barangay Nabunga in Boston, Davao Oriental last April 4, 2002.
Lawas was with an Army platoon under 2nd Lt. Lawrence Aninag when they were ambushed while conducting military operation in the area.
The rebels claimed to have killed 10 soldiers and wounded 12 others during that encounter. With SAE
(June 10, 2003 issue)
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