Colombia rebel group FARC on Saturday announced to release two policemen and one soldier who were captured by guerrillas over the past week.
In a press statement on the FARC website, the rebel command affirmed it held the two policemen who were caught by guerrillas in the southwestern Cauca department on January 25 and a soldier who was caught by rebels in the southwestern Nariño department on Thursday.
MORE: FARC kidnapped cops in southwestern Colombia: Police
The rebel leaders said the cops and the soldier “are in good condition and are receiving a signified and respectful treatment.”
According to the FARC, the rebel organization will contact peace advocacy group Colombians for Peace and international aid organization Red Cross to coordinate the release of the three captive members of the security forces.
The two policemen were detained by guerrillas while inspecting possible rebel extortion rackets. The retention of the soldier had not been announced by the army, but probably happened in the same operation in which four soldiers were killed and three civilians kidnapped. The civilians were released shortly after.
MORE: FARC kills 4 soldiers, ‘kidnaps’ 3 civilians in southwest Colombia
The FARC officially announced it would ban kidnapping early last year. Even before that, the rebels began releasing captured members of the security forces to the Red Cross. According to anti-kidnapping NGO Pais Libre, the rebels have continued kidnapping, but the NGOs numbers have been inconsistent.
