NPA rebels free 3 soldiers, militiaman in Compostela

DAVAO CITY , Philippines  – The New People’s Army (NPA) released last Tuesday afternoon the three Army corporals and a militiaman it had held in captivity for more than a month in the hinterlands of Compostela Valley.

Cpls. Marcial Bawagan, Ariel Asumo, and Eduardo Alcala and CAFGU member Victor Pitogo were released to representatives of the Catholic Church and Exodus for Justice and Peace and local officials in Sitio Limao Pag-asa, Barangay Teresa, Maco town at around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The four were snatched in Mawab, Compostela Valley last May 12 and their families, together with several sectors, had demanded their immediate release.

The NPA’s Merardo Arce Command-Southern Mindanao said the four were released on humanitarian considerations despite the fact there was “probable cause that a crime of violations of human rights had been committed.”

The four were turned over to Tagum City Archbishop Wilfredo Manlapaz who, in turn, handed them over to Maj. Gen. Carlos Holganza, commander of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division.

They were immediately brought to the Armed Forces’ Eastern Mindanao Command hospital at Camp Panacan here for medical checkup and debriefing, after which they were reunited with their families.

Anvil Guinto, spokesman of the NPA’s Merardo Arce Command, said they released their “prisoners of war” due to the appeal of their families, and religious and progressive groups.

“The NPA decided to give the four operatives a chance to correct their wrongdoings and to respect the rights of persons in accordance with the International Humanitarian Law,” Guinto said.

The NPA’s Crucifino Uballas Command-Front 2, for its part, warned other soldiers to respect human rights or suffer the fate of their freed colleagues.

The NPA particularly warned soldiers manning detachments in Barangays Limbo, Concepcion, Tapan and Sawangan, and other places under the 10th ID’s jurisdiction.

Holganza said the rebels were forced to release the three soldiers and militiaman because of intensified military operations in the area.