NPAs release Surigao mayor

MANILA, Philippines - Communist rebels released yesterday abducted Lingig, Surigao del Sur mayor Roberto Luna Jr. and his four escorts, separate statements from the military and the New People’s Army (NPA) said.

Luna and Police Officers 3 Allan Dapitona and Boy de Castro, Private First Class (PFC) John Rey Abao and PFC Arnel Dizon of 58th Infantry Battalion were released from the NPAs custody around 6 o’clock Monday evening in an undisclosed place in Davao Oriental.

Army 10th Infantry Division spokesman Capt. Emmanuel Garcia said the five were released by the NPA at around 6 p.m. at Sitio Pamian, Barangay Bogac, Lingig, Surigao del Sur

He said governor-elect Johnny Pimentel, his wife Leles, and Tita, wife of elected Bislig city mayor Librando Navarro were present at the area to ensure the release of the hostages.  

Luna was then brought to his residence while his security escorts were brought to their respective headquarters for debriefing and medical check up.

Previous reports state that the rebels were demanding P2 million to P3 million from the family of Luna and the local government of Surigao del Sur for the release of the hostages. The military, however, cannot confirm the veracity of these reports.

“If directly or indirectly money was given to the kidnappers for the safe release of the victims, then our fear of NPAs resorting to “kidnap for ransom” scheme to generate funds and war materials has finally come true,” said Maj. Gen. Mario Chan, Commander of the 4th Infantry Division. 

“Kidnapping with robbery charges will be filed by our soldiers against those responsible,” he said. 

In a statement, the NPA Conrado Heredia Command said Luna was released after apologizing for the “crimes” he committed.

“Luna has admitted his culpability in maintaining a large private armed group consisting of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) elements and hired goons,” said Conrado Heredia Command spokesman of Roel Agustin II.

“He (Luna) employed this private armed group in furtherance of his political and economic interests and in the process violated the human rights of the masses,” he added.

The NPA accused Luna of murdering former Lingig mayor Amerosin Onsing in 2001, grabbing peasant lands, engaging in environmentally destructive logging, human rights violations and corruption. 

“Despite Luna’s release from detention, the legal and judicial procedures in connection with these cases will continue; only his custodial detention is terminated,” Agustin said.

The military, however, said the release of the hostages confirms that the allegations against Luna are baseless.

“Whether or not a P3 million ransom was paid, the release proves that the alleged cases bannered by the NPAs against their victims are concocted and without any basis,” Garcia said.

Luna and his four security aides were kidnapped on May 5 at the boundary of Agusan del Sur and Compostela Valley. Luna, who just won as vice mayor of Lingig, was about to visit his sick child in Davao City when the incident happened.  – With Ben Serrano