Press Statement

6 April 2001

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL INVOLVED IN THE SAFE AND
ORDERLY RELEASE OF MAJOR BUAN

By Jose Maria Sison

NDFP Chief Political Consultant

I congratulate the leadership of the Communist Party of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines of the Southern Tagalog region, the Melito Glor Command and the custodians of the prisoner of war, Philippine army intelligence officer Major Noel Buan, for taking good care of him for 19 months and releasing him in accordance with the political authority of the people’s democratic government and on humanitarian grounds.

Likewise, I congratulate the International Committee of the Red Cross, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the humanitarian and peace mission of Senator Legarda, Bishop Jesus Varela, Supreme Bishop Tomas Millamena, the NDFP and the GRP negotiating panels, the Philippine Peace Center, Bayan Muna and other respected organizations for cooperating in the success of the safe and orderly release of Major Buan.

In contrast to the barbaric practice of killing off captives, the taking of prisoners of war is a humane act in accordance with the Geneva Conventions, the GRP-NDFP Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CAHRIHL) and the long-standing NPA policy of lenient treatment to prisoners of war.

The revolutionary people and forces demonstrate their capability as a belligerent community under international law by taking prisoners of war, according them humane treatment and respecting their human rights.

The safe and orderly release of Major Buan has been made possible by the mutual ceasefire and cooperation of the contending armed forces of the NDFP and of the GRP.

Had Mr. Estrada cooperated in undertaking the release of PNP Major Abelardo Martin and Philippine army Major Buan, the latter would have been released early last year in accordance with the NDFP memorandum agreement with the humanitarian and peace mission.

I reiterate the hope that said release will enhance the favorable atmosphere for the solidarity conference for peace on April 18 in Manila and the resumption of the peace negotiations on April 27 in Oslo, Norway.