NPA releases Compostela cop

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The New People’s Army (NPA) released on Tuesday afternoon a police corporal it snatched in Nabunturan, Compostela Valley last March 18.

PO3 Ruben Norjapa was turned over to Davao City Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte in Mawab, Compostela Valley, after which he was flown on a helicopter to the regional police headquarters at Camp Catitipan here.

Duterte handed Norjapa over to Chief Superintendent Anselmo Pinili, assistant regional police director, for debriefing and medical treatment.

A short program took place at the release site in Mawab town Tuesday afternoon before Norjapa was turned over to Duterte.

Six days after Norjapa was seized, the National Democratic Front (NDF) ordered NPA custodial forces to release him as no sufficient evidence was found to warrant his prosecution.

The Sowing the Seeds for Peace movement also helped facilitate negotiations for Norjapa’s release.

The NDF said Norjapa’s release was purely on humanitarian grounds after his family sought the help of the Sowing the Seeds for Peace and other groups.