The communist rebels freed four other policemen in Surigao a day after the signing of ceasefire agreement
A month after they were kidnapped in Surigao, four members of the Philippine National Police were released by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) on Saturday.
These policemen where kidnapped in Surigao City on July this year. One day after the government and the reds declared an indefinite ceasefire to fast-track peace negotiations in Oslo, Norway, they earn their freedom again.
Included on the freed captives were Senior Police Officer 3 Santiago Lamanilao, Police Officer 3 Jayroll Bagayas, Police Officer 2 Caleb Sinaca and Rodrigo Angub, civilian police employee.
Chief Inspector Charity Galvez of the Police Regional Office 13 confirmed the news.
“Ang ating kapulisan ay nagpapasalamat sa Surigao Crisis Management Committee at sa 3rd party facilitators sa kanilang tulong upang mapalaya ang tatlong pulis at isang civilian employee ng PNP…” Galvez said in a statement.
The policemen were freed in Mat-i village, two months after they were abducted from a cockpit arena in the area.
The CPP-NPA also released Police Officer 1 Richard Yu in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur on Friday morning.
Galvez said the four PNP personnel are now undergoing medical checkups.
The rebel groups accused PO2 Sinaca of involvement in illegal drugs, illegal logging, extortion, and harassment of farmers who work for his father who serve as the chairman of the village.
“Umaasa ang PNP na ang ganitong pag-kidnap sa ating kapulisan ay hindi na muling mangyayari pa sapagkat ang kidnapping ay labag sa batas at karapatang pantao lalong-lalo na sa mga pulis sa lokalidad na naglilingkod sa taong bayan,” Galvez added.
On Friday, the negotiators of the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front (NDF) signed an indefinite ceasefire agreement as formal talks ended in Oslo, Norway.
On their official statement, the peace panels of the Philippine government and the NDF are looking to craft mechanisms for the unilateral ceasefire declarations of the respective camp within the next two months.