NPA confirms custody of 2 soldiers

DAVAO CITY—The New People’s Army (NPA) on Saturday confirmed it had in its custody the two soldiers who went missing in Barangay Casoon in Monkayo, Compostela Valley, on Sept. 30.

Aries Francisco, spokesperson of the NPA sub-regional command in Compostela Valley, North Davao, and South Agusan,  said Privates First Class Niño Alavaro and Marjon Anover, both members of the Reengineered Special Operations Team (RSOT) of the 25th Infantry Battalion, were “arrested” while conducting combat operation. Taken from the two soldiers were two .45-cal. pistols, he said.

Earlier, authorities said the two soldiers were off duty when NPA rebels abducted them.

“Contrary to police claims the two were not in active duty,  POWs (prisoners of war) Alavaro and Anover came from the Army’s headquarters in Banlag, Monkayo, and were en route to combat operations at the time of their capture, warranting the Red fighters to take action and arrest them,” Francisco said in a statement.

He said the NPA mounted the checkpoint in response to the alleged atrocities of the 25th IB RSOT—which included  ransacking of several houses in the village, encamped in village centers, intimidated people and arrested civilians on account of fake criminal charges.

As in the case of previous NPA captives, the two soldiers would undergo investigation and be tried under the revolutionary court if found guilty of abuse, Francisco added.

Among the allegations against them was the torture of three captive NPA members in Montevista, Compostela Valley, last year.

Francisco said the NPA would adhere to the protocols of war and the humane treatment of the captives. With a report from Germelina Lacorte/RC