RP captives yet to be released

Sat, 20 Mar 1999 | Source: AP

MANILA (AP): Philippine officials demanded on Friday the early release of an army general and three other military and police officers held captive by communist rebels.

On Thursday, communist leaders living in exile in the Netherlands announced they would release the captives between Mar. 19 and April 22.

"I think that's too long," said Alexander Aguirre, President Joseph Estrada's national security adviser. "I think their intention is only to conduct propaganda."

Presidential Executive Secretary Ronaldo Zamora said three to five days would be a reasonable period. The rebels seized Brig. Gen. Victor Obillo, commander of the army's 55th Engineering Brigade, and his aide, Capt. Eduardo Montealto, on Feb. 17 outside Davao City. Several days later, they seized police Inspector Roberto Bernal in the Sorsogon Province town of Bacon.

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