Jorge Madlos
Communist rebels have freed 7 pro-government militias they captured in separate operations in the southern Philippines, a leader of the New People’s Army said on Thursday.
Jorge Madlos said the NPA released prisoners-of-war Danny Sevillejo, 27, Evangeline Cabodbod,31, and Leonardo Sevillejo, 63, - who were captured on April 14 in the village of Santa Juana in Surigao del Sur’s Tagbina town.
And also Mario Lepanda, 36; Toloy Lepanda, 34; Rejoy Francisco, 23; and Janjan, a minor – who were arrested by rebels on April 15 at a checkpioint in the village of Don Alejandro in San Luis town in Agusan del Sur province.
The release of the militias – who all underwent separate investigations by the NPA - was attended by government officials and representatives from the religious sector and the media.
Madlos said the release of militias ended successfully with no untoward incidents.
He said the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, the political wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, ordered the release of the militias on humanitarian grounds and after the NPA submitted the results of its interrogation on the prisoners.
The release of the militias were based on the following grounds – they have not committed any serious offense against the people and the revolution; and swore never again to commit their minor offenses, and to take steps to rectify their mistakes; and for having exhibited good behaviour during detention.
“The detention, investigation and release of these prisoners of war show the politico-military capability of the revolutionary forces in the different regions in Mindanao. These prove not only the capacity of the NPA, the Party and the NDFP to undertake such action, but more so the widespread and solid support of the masses toward the revolutionary movement in the island,” Madlos said.
He said the capture of the militias exposes the vulnerability in the deployment of government forces and its inability to prevent or counteract any of the NPA offensives. “The most that the AFP and the PNP could do was to brush off these NPA-led military actions as a “desperate show of force. But in truth, this is a huge blow against the capability of both the AFP and the PNP,” Madlos said, referring to military and police authorities.
He said the NPA is still holding two policemen - PO1 Ronal Allan Munez and PO1 Nemuel Espana - who were accused by rebels as behind extortion activities in Agusan del Sur’s Loreto town. He said the prisoners remain under the custody of an NPA Unit in Front 03 in Southern Mindanao.
“The two are still under the process of preliminary investigation,” Madlos said.
http://mindanaoexaminer.blogspot.com/2013/04/npa-rebels-free-7-militias-in-southern.html
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