Kin appeal to NPA for release of 2 abducted Army soldiers

From GMA News (Dec 20): Kin appeal to NPA for release of 2 abducted Army soldiers

Relatives of two Army soldiers abducted last Dec. 2 in Compostela Valley appealed to the New People's Army to release their captives before Christmas.

The wife of Cpl. Benjamin Samano and parents of Pfc. Alvin Ricarte made the appeal at a press conference, Davao-based news site Davao Today reported on Friday.

“We hope the NPA guerrillas are keeping them safe and would return them to us before Christmas. I likewise ask the military to stop its operations so that they would not be put in danger,” said Ruby Samano.

Angelina and Calvin Ricarte made a similar appeal, with Mrs. Ricarte saying their son "only performed his duty and have not even left the area."

Catholic priest Raymond Suela also appealed to the NPA to “let them go home especially now that it is Christmas.”

“To the military, we hope that they stop their operations for the safety of those who will release them (NPA), those who will facilitate for their release and the captured themselves. So the whole process will be faster, easier and orderly,” he said.

Reverend Jurie Jaime, a convener of Exodus for Justice and Peace, a third-party facilitator, also asked the NPA "to hear and answer calls of the families especially as it is Christmas time.”

But Jaime also called on the military to respect protocols the NPA will set for the release.

Davao Today cited an email statement from 1Lt. Vergel Lacamba, chief of the 10th Infantry Division’s Public Affairs Office, saying the two soldiers were “providing security assistance” to security guards “securing the airstrip of Sumifru Banana Plantation.”

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte also called for the release of Samano and Ricarte. “I said to the NPAs that I hope they release the two before Christmas,” he said.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/393762/news/regions/kin-appeal-to-npa-for-release-of-2-abducted-army-soldiers