Col. Macairog Alberto, commander of the 1001st Brigade said
they have pinpointed the locations and are continuing on their operations.
Alberto however, refused to identify the areas.
“We have information, that’s why we are conducting
operations in that area. Hindi ko masabi yung lugar pero we have identified the
locations and tuloy yung aming operations dun (I cannot divulge where it s but
we have identified it and our operations are ongoing),” said Alberto in a press
conference.
The soldiers belong to the 25th Infantry Battalion and were
identified as Private First Class Niño Alavaro and PFC Marjon Anover.
The two were captured at a checkpoint in Barangay Casoon,
Monkayo.
In a statement, Aries Francisco, spokesperson of the
NPA-Comval North Davao South Agusan Sub-regional Command said the two
“came from the Army’s headquarters in Banlag, Monkayo and were en route to
combat operations at the time of their capture, warranting the Red fighters to
take action and arrest them.”
Francisco said they mounted the checkpoint “in response to
the atrocities committed by the 25th IB (Re-engineered Special Operations
Team).”
He said the Army troops “committed grave human rights
violations in the villages when they ransacked several houses, encamped village
centers, committed serious psychological warfare and arrested civilians on
account of fake criminal charges.”
“It was the same Army unit which seized and tortured to
death three Red fighters in Montevista, Compostela Valley
last year,” Francisco added.
Meanwhile, the NPA assured that they will treat the captured
soldiers humanely.
“In adherence to the protocols of war, the NPA custodial
unit is duty-bound to treat the two Prisoners of War humanely and leniently
while an investigating team subjects them to the judicial process under the
tenets of revolutionary justice,” Francisco said.
Alberto said the checkpoint of the NPA was put up in an
isolated area.
“The road is really difficult and our soldiers will have to
ride habal-habal or skylab (an improvised motor that can carry more
passengers),” said Alberto.
He said they already issued an instruction among their soldiers
to avoid being captured or ambushed by their enemies.
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