Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—The military on Monday welcomed the New People’s Army (NPA) release of two soldiers through Davao City Mayor City Rodrigo Duterte last Sunday.
Maj. Gen. Eduardo Año, commander of the Philippine Army’s 10th Infantry Division (ID), identified the soldiers as Cpl. Benjamin Samano and Pfc. Alvin Ricarte who were captured by NPA rebels in a raid on Sumitomo Fruits Corp. (Sumifru) in New Corella, Davao del Norte, on Dec. 2.
Año thanked Duterte for facilitating the release of the soldiers who had been assigned to the Sumifru compound to beef up its security personnel.
“Now our two soldiers can celebrate Christmas with their families,” Año said.
The soldiers were turned over to the 10th ID, their mother unit, after their release in an undisclosed area of Montevista, Compostela Valley.
Año said the soldiers would undergo debriefing and evaluation before returning to full duty status.
He said the two soldiers were in high spirits and very eager to serve again in the front line.
Unilateral ceasefire
At the same time, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) urged NPA rebels to take advantage of the ceasefire to celebrate the Yuletide with their loved ones by laying down their arms and rejoining society.
Año said troops from the 10th ID were allowed to celebrate the holiday season with their families in view of the ceasefire.
The AFP and the Philippine National Police have declared a unilateral ceasefire with the communist NPA from Dec. 18 to Jan. 19.
The leadership of the Communist Party of the Philippines has ordered the NPA to observe a staggered ceasefire on Dec. 24-26 and Dec. 31-Jan. 1 and Jan. 15-19 or during the visit of Pope Francis to the country.
“In view of the ceasefire, we shifted to a proactive defense posture and I allowed my men to take a respite and celebrate the Yuletide with their families. I enjoin the NPA to also celebrate Christmas with their loved ones and relatives,” Año said. Cynthia D. Balana