DAVAO CITY, July 2 (PIA) Mayor Rodrigo Duterte urged the New People’s Army unit behind the abduction of five soldiers at Paquibato District in June 17 to treat them accordingly.
He believed the rebels would not torture the soldiers in the same manner that they treated previous captives humanely.
Duterte pushed for the rebels to observe the proper conduct of treating prisoners by observing the provisions of the Geneva Convention.
He admitted that the welfare of the soldiers is one of the concerns that have been bothering him since he assumed office since Monday.
Duterte said he does not know yet where to look for the beleaguered soldiers.
“I do not want to talk to the military about this because I do not want to be controlled,” he said.
Duterte revealed during his initial talks to the rebels not to hurt the soldiers.
He said he will one day go to the rebels’ lair to talk to Leoncio Pitao alias Kumander Parago about the situation of the solders.
He said saving the soldiers is a winding pursuit.
“The armed people may be the ones who held the soldiers, but there is also a need to talk to the National Democratic Front which controls the overall situation,” Duterte said.
He also assured the family of the soldiers that the captives are being treated well.
Duterte said he has Kumander Parago’s commitment not to hurt the soldiers.
“I have the word of Parago. He is a man of his word. We deal with honor here. Until then, we will find ways to link up with the rebels,” he said.
Duterte remained hopeful that the soldiers will be released eventually.
Corporal Emmanuel Quezon, Privates First Class Ronald Gura, Bernie Padilla, and Donato Estandia and Private Marteniano Pasiagas, Jr., all members of the peace and development team under the 60th Infantry Battalion were going to the market to buy food supplies for their scheduled feeding program when they were held by the rebels who were manning the roadblock.
On the soldiers’ commanding officer was spared after he jumped off the motorcycle unto a ravine, when he noticed the unusual behaviour of the armed group manning the barricade.
Families of soldiers sought the help of the church group, “Sowing the Seeds for Peace,” to facilitate the freedom of the kin.
The group facilitated the soldiers’ families with Duterte who assured the soldiers’ safety even in the hands of the rebels. (PIA XI-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)
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