Communist New People's Army rebels released two captive soldiers to Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday afternoon, news site Davao Today reported.
The release of Cpl. Benjamin Samano and Pfc. Alvin Ricarte, both from the Army's 60th Infantry Battalion, took place in the hinterlands of Montevista town in the Compostela Valley.
Duterte arrived had arrived in the area aboard a helicopter, and the two soldiers were brought to the headquarters of the Eastern Mindanao Command in Davao City.
The release came days after the Communist Party of the Philippines announced a ceasefire for Christmas, New Year and the visit of Pope Francis.
The NPA abducted Samano and Ricarte last Dec. 2 at the compound of the Sumitomo Fruits Corp. in New Corella town in Davao del Norte.
Relatives of the soldiers had appealed to the NPA and the government for the release.
Meanwhile, Duterte said the two soldiers were treated well, and that the NPA had "adhered to the rules of the Geneva Convention.”
More captives to be released
Davao Today also reported that the National Democratic Front (NDF) would soon release more captives.
A Saturday NDF Mindanao statement said that those to be released included:
- PO1 Democrito Polvorosa and PO1 Marichel Contemplo, who were abducted in Alegria, Surigao del Norte last November 16;
- Junrie Amper, abudcted in Malimono, Surigao del Norte last November 12; and
- Pfc. Marnel Cinches and Jerrel Yorong from the Army’s 8th Infantry Battalion, captured last August 22.
NDF Mindanao spokesman Ka Oris said the "release orders" had been signed by the NDF's National Executive Council.
Oris explained that the captives would be released because of "humanitarian considerations," and the Communist Party of the Philippines' anniversary.
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