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| Southeast Asia |
| Philippines: Communist rebels willing to discuss prisoner's release |
| 2008-11-18 |
| (AKI) -- In a statement released on Monday, the outlawed Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) called on the government to hold talks with its armed wing for the safe release of an army official captured after recent clashes, Lt. Vicente Cammayo. But the Philippines army has rejected the offer and said that it will keep launching operations against the rebels. Cammayo was snatched by rebels from the CPP's armed wing, The New's People Army, following clashes in the Compostela Valley last week. He is reported to be badly wounded. The CPP called the officer a "prisoner of war" and stated that he was being properly treated. The rebel group added that the only way for the government to achieve his release was through negotiations. "We assure the family and friends of Lieutenant Cammayo that he is being accorded rights and considerate treatment due him as a prisoner of war." "The safe and orderly release of Lieutenant Cammayo can only be achieved through negotiations and on condition that the Army's military operations in the area and vicinity are stopped." Army spokesman Romeo Brawner welcomed the news that Cammayo is alive - something confirmed by the NPA on Sunday. But Brawner added: "The Army will continue to launch military operations not just to rescue Cammayo but also to bring to justice his captors." Brawner did not responde to the CPP's invitation to negotiate over Cammayo's release. The 5,000-strong NPA is an avowedly Maoist group that has been fighting since 1969 to overthrow the government through protracted guerrilla warfare. Although primarily a rural-based guerrilla group, the NPA is also active in cities. It primarily targets Philippine security forces, politicians, judges, government informers and former rebels who wish to leave the NPA, rival splinter groups, and alleged criminals. The NPA also oppose the US military presence in the Philippines, has attacked US military interests, and before the US base closures in 1992, killed US service personnel. The group obtains most of its funding from the contributions of supporters and from the so-called "revolutionary taxes," which critics say are extorted from local businesses. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #1 It primarily targets Philippine security forces, politicians, judges, government informers and former rebels who wish to leave the NPA, rival splinter groups, and alleged criminals. The Democratic party, they're nearly everywhere! |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2008-11-18 07:36 |