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Friday, November 14, 2008
Army: Captive soldier is wounded, weak
By Ben O. Tesiorna
DAVAO CITY -- The Army lieutenant taken hostage by New People's Army (NPA) guerillas following an encounter in Compostela Valley last week is wounded and weak.
This was revealed by Major Gen. Jogy Leo Fojas, chief of the Army's 10th Infantry Division, who also lambasted the rebels for denying that the soldier is in their hands.
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In Thursday's AFP-PNP Press Corps forum at Task Force Davao headquarters, Fojas said the NPA denial is a violation of 1Lt. Vicente Cammayo's rights as a prisoner of war.
Fojas said witnesses in the vicinity of the encounter in Monkayo last November 7 saw the rebels blindfolding Cammayo and binding him with handcuffs and chains.
"This is contrary to the alleged statement by the NPA that 1Lt. Cammayo was not in their custody. Abduction is not a new criminal activity of the NPA. They have been doing this for so long and their alleged denial is a clear indication that they have malicious intent against 1Lt. Cammayo to either harm or liquidate him," Fojas said.
He said the NPA denial has deprived the soldier of the needed medical attention, a "clear violation” of his basic right as stipulated in the Constitution.
At the same time, Fojas also challenged cause-oriented groups to look into Cammayo's case.
"If these organizations are really for the welfare of the people regardless of his affiliations, they might as well condemn these dastardly acts of the NPA bandits and put pressure on them to treat 1Lt. Cammayo humanely or release him so that he can be brought to the nearest hospital for medical treatment," Fojas said.
Lt. Col. Rolando Bautista of the Army's 10th Infantry Division said their operation to rescue Cammayo is still ongoing.
Cammayo, assigned with the 3rd Special Forces Battalion, was reported missing after troops clashed with New People's Army guerrillas in Sitio Anagase in the municipality of Monkayo at 8:30 a.m. last Friday.
Three soldiers were also killed in last week's clash and were identified as Staff Sgt. Edwin Audencial, Private Jacob Pasco, and militiaman Manuel Bangonan. Reports said that an M-60 machine gun, an M-14 rifle, and radio equipment were reported lost in the encounter.(Sun.Star Davao)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Davao. (November 14, 2008 issue)
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