NPAs show proof of life of abducted mayor

DAVAO CITY , Philippines  – The New People’s Army has showed proof that Lingig, Surigao Mayor Roberto “Jimmy” Luna and his four security escorts are alive after they were taken captives a few days before the May 10 elections.

The NPAs Conrado Heredia Command of the Front 20 Operations Command-Southern Mindanao has released a voice of Luna and his four security escorts – Pfcs Johnrey Abao and Arnel Dizon of the Army’s 58th Infantry Battalion and PO2 Boy de Castro and PO3 Alan Dapitanon. 

Luna and the four other captives were abducted on May 5 by NPAs manning a checkpoint along the national highway in Barangay Pasian, Monkayo, Compostela Valley.

This, as even in captivity, Luna actually won as vice mayor in the May 10 polls as he is on his third and last term as mayor of Lingig.

According to Ka Roel Agustin II, spokesman of the NPAs Conra do Heredia Command, the release of the voice clips was intended to assure the families of the captives that they are in good health and that they are being treated well while in custody of the rebel group.

“They are presently under the care of the New Peoples Army while Mayor Luna is facing charges and the people’s clamor to dismantle his private army which he built since 2001,” Agustin said in a statement yesterday.

Each of the five victims said in the video clip that they have been treated well by their captors and that they are indeed in good health.

The captives also assured their families not to worry about their situation.

However, no mention has been made as to when Luna and his security escorts would be released. 

Luna has reportedly been taken captive by the NPAs for two times already in the last few years.

A group of church and social workers has also been said to have been negotiating for the release of Luna’s group.