Army trooper seized by NPA freed

SUGBONGCOGON, Misamis Oriental, Philippines – An Army soldier held captive for 132 days by the New People’s Army (NPA) was released in this town on Friday.

Pfc. Adonis Jess Lupiba of the 58th Infantry Battalion was turned over to officials of the local crisis committee led by Gov. Yevgeny Vicente Emano and third party facilitators, led by Iglesia Filipina Independiente Bishop Felixberto Calang.

Allan Juanito, secretary general of the North Central Mindanao Committee of the NPA, was accompanied by some 100 armed rebels during the turnover held at the mountain village of Kaulayanan, located more than 50 kilometers away from Cagayan de Oro City.

Calang said Lupiba’s family asked him to help secure the release of the soldier.

Two platoons of armed NPA guerrillas escorted Lupiba to the multi-purpose hall of Kaulayanan for the turnover ceremony.

Juanito assured Lupiba’s family that the soldier was not harmed by his captors.

The military welcomed Lupiba as a hero, citing his efforts to save the residents when the rebels raided the village of Alagatan in Gingoog City more than four months ago.

Capt. Joe Patrick Martinez, spokesman for the Army’s 4th Infantry Division, said Lupiba sacrificed his freedom when he decided to have himself be taken as a human shield by the rebels in exchange for the residents during an encounter in July.

“We thank the people who helped us secure the release of our soldier and the people of Misamis Oriental who offered prayers for his freedom,” Col. Jesse Alvarez, chief of the 403rd Infantry Brigade, said.