Manny Pacquiao facilitated the release of the two police officers abducted by the NPA
Three months after they were abducted, the two policemen can now enjoy their freedom with their family and other members of their respective police stations in Davao Oriental.
On Friday afternoon (Aug. 26), the New People’s Army (NPA) have released two police officers to Senator Manny Pacquiao.
Their respective families happily welcomed Police Chief Inspector Arnold Ongachen, chief of Governor Generoso Municipal Police Station, Davao Oriental; and PO1 Michael Grande, assigned at Banaybanay Police Station.
They were freed by the NPA in Barangay Calapagan, in the town of Lupon in Davao Oriental after nearly three months in captivity.
Ongachen was abducted on May 29 as the rebels storm his police station. Around 70 members of the NPA attacked the police station that time. Around 7:45 PM when the communist rebels arrived at the police station and immediately opened fire to the police personnel in the area. After the firefight, the rebels abducted Ongachen and fled toward the eastern part of Barangay Sigaboy, same town.
PO1 Grande, on the other hand, was abducted by the rebels in the month of June at Banay-banay, Davao Oriental.
They were considered prisoners of war by the NPA and today, they get their freedom again as police officers.
They were were turned over to Senator Pacquiao and their families in good physical condition.
Their release coincides with the continuing peace talks in Oslo, Norway between the peace negotiators of the government of the Republic of the Philippines and representatives of the National Democratic Front, Communist Party of the Philippines, and NPA.
According to Pacquiao, he asked permission from President Rodrigo Duterte to facilitate the release of the hostages and it became successful.
Pacquiao arrived at Lupon, Davao del Norte, via a chopper at past 12:00 in the afternoon.
With him was Compostela Valley 2nd District Rep. Ruwel Peter Gonzaga; Davao City Councilor Leah Librado-Yap; Councilor Cyril Yap of Glan, Sarangani Province; Reverend Jurie Jaime of Exodus of Justice and Peace; and other church leaders.