DAVAO CITY – Two prisoners of war of the New People’s Army pleaded to the Armed Forces of the Philippines and President Rodrigo Duterte not to send forces to retrieve them, in the midst of revived tension between the communist group and Philippine troops.
The Regional Operations command of the Far South Mindanao area of the New People’s Army, in a statement, said that POWs Sgt. Solaiman Calocop and Pfc. Samuel Garay of the 39th Infantry Brigade were being treated well by their captors.
The National Democratic Front (NDFP) attached audio messages to the statement.
The two POWs reportedly asked for reduced AFP operations and pleaded that no rescue operation be launched to retrieve them.
Garay and Calocop are currently held as Prisoners of War by the Mt. Alip Sub-Regional Operations Command.
In separate audio messages, POW Calocop and POW Garay both assured their families that they are being treated well by their NPA custodial unit.
POW Calocop, particularly, noted the NPA’s respect to his religion.
The two are presently being investigated for their involvement in the crimes perpetrated by the 39th IB against the people and the revolutionary movement.
The two POWs also appealed to their battalion commander and the AFP to cease all military operations as these only endanger their lives and safety. (Yas D. Ocampo)