Scout Ranger El Bryan Cañedo says he is OK.

THE New People's Army (NPA) yesterday released two photographs and an audio clip of its captive, Scout Ranger El Bryan Cañedo. The soldier called on government forces to stop offensives in Mindanao due to a cease-fire agreed on as a result of the resumption of peace negotiations between rebels and government representatives in Oslo.

In an audio recording, Cañedo assured his family that he was sleeping and eating well, and his rights were being respected by his captors. Private Cañedo, 23, also called on military and police officials to order a halt on all offensives to speed up his release. He asked the leadership of the Iglesia ni Cristo and Davao Mayor Sara Duterte to work for his speedy release. One of the photographs shows Cañedo having a cup of coffee while another showed him seated and holding a newspaper.

"The continuing 10th ID-AFP offensive combat operations in Compostela Valley province, in Agusan Sur and Davao Oriental despite the simultaneous GPH-NDFP ceasefire that started Feb. 15 could only delay the expeditious investigation of POW PFC Cañedo by revolutionary authorities. Sugarcoated AFP ‘rescue' missions for POW Pfc Cañedo would only end up in complete failures and in further humiliating the bankrupt 10th ID-AFP," said Homer Sandejas, spokesperson of the NPA's Front 25 operations command.

Cañedo, a member of the 5th Scout Ranger Company under the 2nd Scout Ranger Battalion, was captured and disarmed at a NPA checkpoint in Barangay Maparat, Compostela, Compostela Valley province last Feb. 7. He is being investigated for possible "crimes committed against the masses and the revolutionary movement."
Meanwhile, National Democratic Front (NDF) spokesperson for Mindanao Jorge Madlos continued to hurl brickbats at the military for the alleged blatant violations of the mutually agreed cease-fire between the government and communist rebels forces.

Madlos cited eight alleged violations in Bukidnon alone:

•In Barangay Osmena, Dangcagan, Feb. 15-16, two truckloads of government troops from the 8th Infantry Battalion and the provincial police "forcibly gathered the people to extract intelligence information." Madlos alleged the troops were led by Col. Rico Gapuz, one Maj. Canutoy, Dangcagan police chief Evary Bacunawa, and the province's police director.

• In Sto. Rosario, Kitaotao, Feb. 15, two truckloads of troops from the 8th IB and two patrol cars of the RMG allegedly carried out an offensive combat patrol, some 12 kms from a military-militia outpost.

• In Barangay Kauyonan, Kitaotao, Feb. 15, a squad from the 8th IB allegedly launched an offensive patrol against rebels in sugar cane fields, some 12 kms from a military outpost.

• In Kalumihan, Kitaotao, Feb. 15, two truckloads of troops from the 8th IB and two patrol cars of the RMG conducted an offensive combat patrol, about 15 kms from a militia camp.

• In Barangays San Nicolas-Banban, Don Carlos, Feb. 15, a military jeep-load of 8th IB soldiers allegedly conducted an offensive, five kms from a military-police-militia camp.

• In Bagsak-Pinamaloy, Don Carlos, Feb. 15, a M35 military truckload of the 8th IB soldiers allegedly conducted an offensive combat patrol some kms from a camp.

• In Namnam, San Fernando, Bukidnon, 8 pm, Feb. 16, one truckload of the 8th IB troops occupied a detachment site they have deserted for a year.
Madlos said the offensives, which started on Feb. 10, continued in Quezon, Bukidnon. "These violations, as what they have shown during the recent 18-day cease-fire, put in question the sincerity of the Philippine government in its endeavor to attain just and lasting peace. These cease-fire violations endanger the ongoing peace talks... and the overall peace process," said Madlos." herbie gomez

article from Gold Star Daily News