NPA guerrillas free 2 policemen

DAVAO CITY – Communist New People’s Army rebels released last Saturday afternoon the two policemen who were abducted last Sept. 1 at a mining site in Mt. Diwalwal in Monkayo, Compostela Valley.

Chief Superintendent Andres Caro II, Southern Mindanao police director, said the rebels freed Police Officer 3 Jerry Realino and PO3 Raymund Quinsang at around 1 p.m. in Sitio Letter B, Barangay Ulip in Monkayo.

The rebels turned over Realino and Quinsang to a group led by Fr. Melvin dela Cuesta who negotiated with the guerrillas the release of the policemen before they were brought to the provincial police office headquarters in Nabunturan, Compostela Valley.

Compostela Valley Gov. Arthur Uy said he sent representatives who helped facilitate the release of Realino and Quinsang.

The two policemen were in good physical condition when they were turned over to the provincial police officials.

The NPA Pulang Bagani Command rebels kidnapped Realino and Quinsang last Sept. 1 while the victims were manning their post at the police sub-station at the gold mining site in Mt. Diwalwal.

At least 40 NPA rebels led by Commanders Daryl and Jason also abducted PO3 Rogelio Entrata and PO2 Hector Culastre who were both released the next day while Realino and Quinsang were kept under rebel custody.

Police said the rebels also burned a dump truck owned by the national Mining Resources Development Corp. that passed by during the rebel operation.

The rebels later fled toward Barangay Ulip in Monkayo.

The Armed Forces Eastern Mindanao Command the local police deployed various units to pursue the rebels.