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Monday, May 07, 2007
Sergeant held captive by communist rebels
By Ben O. Tesiorna
DAVAO CITY -- After 24 days of holding a soldier captive, the communist group's Camp for Administration of Detainees in Southern Mindanao finally announced Sunday it has Army Staff Sergeant Albert A. Baludoya in its keeping.
In a statement, the rebel group said a special body was set up by the Merardo Arce Command of the New People's Army (NPA) to look into the possible war crimes and other serious human rights violations that the military officer might have committed in his 17 years of active duty.
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Baludoya is the commander of the Army's 72nd Infantry Battalion detachment stationed right in the midst of civilian communities in Aliwagwag, Cateel, Davao Oriental.
He was riding on his motorcycle last April 13 when flagged down by the rebels at a checkpoint they had set up in Sitio Holid, Barangay Aragon, Cateel at around 8 a.m.
The rebel group said they accorded Baludoya the prisoner of war status based on international humanitarian laws and the 1996 NDFP Unilateral Declaration of Undertaking to apply the provisions of the 1949 Geneva Conventions and Protocol 1 of 1977.
"As such, all the rights appurtenant to his status as prisoner of war is respected and dutifully safeguarded by his custodians," said Roel Agustin II, spokesman of the Conrado Heredia Front 20 Operations Command.
Baludoya is said to be now under the custody of CAD and will remain in detention while the group completes its investigation.
"Rest assured that the NPA strictly adheres to the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (Carhrihl). No harm shall befall on Baludoya...," Agustin said. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex/With press release)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Pampanga. (May 7, 2007 issue)
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