Video footage shows captive officer still alive

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Communist rebels have released a video footage of a captured military officer to assure of his fair treatment. First shown on Sunday on the New People’s Army (NPA) Web site, Lt. Vicente Cammayo assures his wife Mariel and mother Cecilia that he was not wounded during an encounter on Nov. 7 in Monkayo, Compostela Valley. “I know you are apprehensive of my condition. I am fine and let’s pray that I will be released right away," he said. In a press statement, the Merardo Arce Command of the rebel movement claimed Mr. Cammayo, commander of the 11th company of the Third Special Forces Battalion, was captured by rebels who ambushed his team in a hinterland area in Monkayo town. The ambush resulted in the death of three soldiers and a rebel, Ariel Visigas, whose body was exhumed three weeks later on the request of his family. The rebels assured the families of Mr. Cammayo and another captive, Police Officer 3 Eduardo C. Tumol of the 1105th Provincial Police Mobile Group that they were treated humanely. The rebels added that the two law enforcers were also being investigated for possible offenses committed on the masses. Mr. Tumol was captured when rebels attacked a police detachment in Baogo village, Carraga town, Davao Oriental province on Nov. 5. Davao Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte, his daughter Vice-Mayor Sara Z. Duterte and religious organizations have appealed for the captives’ release on humanitarian grounds. In 1999, the rebel movement also snatched Brig. Gen. Victor Obillo, then the commander of the 55th Engineering Brigade, and his logistics officer Capt. Eduardo Montealto in Baguio district. Mr. Obillo and his officer were released to Senator Loren B. Legarda and to Davao Archbishop Fernando R. Capalla. — Carmelito Q. Francisco, BusinessWorld