Military says rebs seeking safe conduct passes

MALAPATAN, Sarangani—A ranking leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) here has asked General Santos City Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio for safe conduct passes so he and his four men can seek medical treatment, government sources said.

Lt. Col. Adolfo Espuelas, commanding officer of the Army’s 73rd Infantry Battalion based here, identified the NPA leader as Commander Warren of Front 73.

Warren and four of his men were injured during last week’s clash with 73rd IB soldiers in the borders of Maitum, Sarangani, and Lake Sebu in South Cotabato, he said.

Espuelas said during the clash, Warren’s wife—identified as Liezl Torres—was slain.

Custodio told reporters that Warren, who is suffering from combat wounds in his group’s lair in the Daguma Range that straddles the provinces of Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, Maguindanao and Sarangani, wanted to seek treatment.

She said Warren wanted four of his followers issued safe conduct passes, too.

Espuelas said based on information reaching the military, Warren suffered a serious injury in the spine.

He said the military was willing to help facilitate the issuance of safe conduct passes or bring the wounded rebels to a hospital.

Under the Geneva Convention, Espuelas said, wounded rebels have the right to seek medical attention in any hospital.

Military officials, however, said the rebels have not made any formal request. Aquiles Z. Zonio, Inquirer Mindanao