Leftist rebels free kidnapped policeman in Compostela

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Xinhua) - Leftist rebels today released a policeman they kidnapped last month in the southern Philippines, police officer said.

According to Sr. Supt. Camilo Cascolan, provincial police chief, members of the New People's Army (NPA) released Police Officer 3 Ruben Nojapa to his family in Compostela Valley province around 1 p.m. local time.

"He (Nojapa) is all right but has to be brought to the regional police command for procedural (physical) checkup and debriefing," Cascolan said.

Nojapa, who was abuducted at a roadblock in nearby Nabunturan town March 18, was brought to the regional police headquarters here for medical checkup and stress debriefing.

Rubi del Mundo, regional NPA spokesperson, said Nojapa was freed after the revolutionary movement "found him not guilty of any crime against the people."

Nojapa was the third government agent abducted by guerrillas in the insurgency-wracked province.

Last January, NPA gunmen also snatched a policeman and a soldier at a roadblock in Laak town, holding them captive for 33 days.