AFP won’t negotiate with NPA over abducted soldiers

MANILA, Philippines – The Armed Forces of the Philippines said they rather conduct pursuit operations to rescue the soldiers abducted Monday in Davao City than talk the communist rebels into releasing the captives.

“We will not negotiate with this groups that abducted our soldiers. We ask them that if they are really concerned to the community they are fighting for they should release the soldiers who are helping that very community without any condition,” military’s Public Affairs Office chief Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala said on Wednesday.

The New People’s Army, in a statement on Wednesday, confirmed that they are holding custody of the five Army enlisted personnel.

The Army soldiers, who were out to buy food for a feeding program, were reportedly in civilian attire and unarmed when they were seized by the rebels in a roadblock the insurgents set up, but the NPA claimed they were able to confiscate three .45 caliber pistols and one hand grenade from their captives.

The insurgents added that their captives, who are now prisoners of war, “are currently undergoing investigation for possible serious human rights violations, violations of International Humanitarian Law and crimes versus the people that they may have committed in the course of their participation in the counterrevolutionary Oplan Bayanihan and as elements of the reactionary armed force,” it said.

“The NPA custodial force will continue to take active defensive stance to protect its troops while ensuring the safety of its captives,” it added.