NPA rebels release captive Army sergeant

DAVAO CITY – New People’s Army rebels released yesterday Army Sgt. Raul Reyes who has been kept captive since Oct. 7 when a band of communist insurgents snatched him, a barangay captain and a militiamen in a raid on an Army detachment in Barangay Canid­kid, Montevista, Compostela Valley.

Compostela Valley Gov. Arthur Uy told The STAR Reyes was released at around noon yesterday in Barangay Casuon, in the neighboring town of Monkayo.

“Yes, Sergeant Reyes has already  been released just two hours ago and he will be turned over to me anytime now,” Uy  said.

The NPAs earlier released on Oct. 14, Barangay Captain Glorieto Mahumas and Cafgu member Rudy Villa­flor, who were also taken hostage together with Reyes in the same raid in Barangay Canidkid. 

Aris Francisco, spokesman of the NPA Alejandro Lanaja Southern Mindanao Command earlier said Reyes shall also eventually be released provided that the Armed Forces shall suspend its military offensive in the towns of Montevista, Monkayo, Na­bunturan and Laak in Com­postela Valley and in Loreto, Veruela and Sta. Josefa in Agusan del Sur.

The three were reportedly released after they were found to have not committed any abuses against the people.

“The results of the investigation showed that individually, they did not commit grave crimes against the people and the revolution,” Francisco said in a statement issued on Oct. 18.

Uy likewise told The STAR that Reyes shall be united with his family who was waiting for him with the governor yesterday in an undisclosed place here in Davao City.   – Edith Regalado