BOGOTA, April 16 (UPI) -- The FARC guerilla group of Colombian Marxists says it will release army soldier Pablo Emilio Moncayo after more than 11 years in captivity.
The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia organization did not give an official release date for Mancayo, who was taken by FARC rebels on Dec. 21, 1997, CNN said Thursday.
The guerilla group said it would release the corporal to a delegation that would include Mancayo's father, Gustavo, and Colombian Sen. Piedad Cordoba.
Gustavo Mancayo said Thursday the news of his son's impending release has stirred up a wealth of emotions in him.
"I give thanks to God for a moment so infinite, so big," Gustavo Mancayo told a CNN affilliate. "There came a moment when the emotion is so big that it clouds my mind, it clouds my feelings."
FARC officials said the planned release of the younger Mancayo is their attempt to further efforts to make peace with the Colombian government.
