NPAs release ailing soldier

DAVAO CITY, Philippines  – The New People’s Army (NPA) yesterday released an ailing soldier it had held captive for 12 days in the mountains of Compostela Valley.

In a statement, the NPA’s Merardo Arce Command-Southern Mindanao Regional Operations Command said the release of Cpl. Daiem Hadjaie of the 25th Infantry Battalion, who was seized last Nov. 16 in Barangay Upper Ulip, Monkayo town, was based on humanitarian grounds.

Hadjaie was reportedly released after he was found to be innocent of “crimes against the people.”

Davao City Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte personally fetched Hadjaie in a helicopter yesterday afternoon from an undisclosed place in Compostela Valley.

Hadjaie was brought to Camp Panacan for treatment at the Armed Forces Eastern Min­danao Command hospital.

“The poor soldier was on his way to the hospital in Camp Panacan to seek treatment because he was sick. You have to release him. If I have to go up to your camps, then I will (do that) and get him,” Duterte earlier told the rebels.