Captive mayor’s photos, message released

DAVAO CITY—Communist guerrillas have released a voice message of a mayor they are holding captive appealing to the government to halt offensives against them to facilitate his and his security escorts’ release.

Mayor Henry Dano of Lingig, Surigao del Sur, addressing President Aquino, appealed for the suspension of military actions against the New People’s Army (NPA) unit that has been holding him since Aug. 6.

The voice message was sent by e-mail to media by Rubi del Mundo, spokesperson of the National Democratic Front (NDF) in Southern Mindanao.

Davao del Norte Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario also called for the suspension of military actions for the rescue of four Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) officers who are also being held by the NPA following their abduction in July.

Del Rosario met with the wives and families of the jail officers. Also in the meeting were representatives of the group Sowing the Seeds of Peace, composed of religious, human rights and peace advocates.

The e-mail sent by the rebels also contained pictures of the mayor and two of his security escorts—Pfc. Allan Pelino Saban and Cpl. Alfrey Villasis Desamparado.

“I am asking our beloved President … for the suspension of military operations to ensure our security and to facilitate our early release from detention here,” Dano said.

He told his family not to worry. “We are in good condition. In fact, I was able to call my wife,” he said.

He said he regularly gets his blood pressure checked and takes medication for his arthritis.

Saban, in a separate voice message, made the same appeal as he assured his family that “here, we are fed well.”

“Right now, I am calling on President Aquino to temporarily stop the military operation so that we will be in safe condition,” he said.

Dano’s other bodyguard, Desamparado, sounded hopeful that they will be released by the NPA.

“For my family, I would like to say to them that they should not fret because I am well. The NPA treats me well. By God’s mercy, I would be reunited with my family,” he said.

Saban and Desamparado, according to the NDF spokesperson, are intelligence officers of the 4th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army.

Del Mundo said the military has launched a full-scale military offensive in the region since the capture of Dano and his escorts.

The NPA is also holding captive Insp.  Eric Llamasares, Insp. Murphy Todyog, jail officers Rolando D. Bajuyo Jr. and Rogelio Begontes, all BJMP officers,-who were taken in Bukidnon on July 12. Jeffrey M. Tupas and Frinston Lim, Inquirer Mindanao