DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The soldier who was released by the New People’s Army (NPA) on Monday after being held captive for more than two weeks has reportedly admitted being involved in illegal drugs and illegal logging.
Cpl. Rogelio Rosales, of the Army’s 60th Infantry Battalion, who was seized last May 3 in Kapalong, Davao del Norte, was released to Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.
Duterte, in turn, handed him over to the Armed Forces’ Eastern Mindanao Command at Camp Panacan here on Monday afternoon.
Duterte said he was initially hesitant in helping Rosales because the corporal was found allegedly involved in illegal drugs and illegal logging in the hinterlands of Davao del Norte.
Rosales was allegedly working for suspected “big players†in illegal logging.
Duterte helped facilitate the soldier’s release upon the request of his family.
It was unclear if the military would probe the allegations against Rosales.