Red says Army treats him well

A captured New People’s Army (NPA) commander appears to have it easy in military detention based on Army reports.

Tirso Alcantara, described as the NPA chief in the southern Tagalog region, reportedly gets regular medical checkups, a supply of vitamins and his wish of what food to eat.

The Army said Alcantara gave a taped interview during a “surprise visit” by a military doctor and a public affairs officer to his detention cell at Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio on Monday.

The National Democratic Front of the Philippines negotiating panel has threatened to postpone peace talks with the government set for this month unless their jailed “consultants” were freed.

Communist chief negotiator Luis Jalandoni claimed Alcantara was in a “very inhumane condition” and was shackled to his bed.

“The claim that I am shackled to my bed is not true. I am not maltreated by my soldier-guards here,” Alcantara was quoted as saying.

Alcantara said he had no complaints because a doctor regularly checked on him.

“I once complained about the food because it was too salty and I also requested to be given fish instead of chicken. I am glad they heard my request,” he also supposedly said.