Gov. Emano turns over to military Army soldier released by NPA after 4 months in captivity

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 20): Gov. Emano turns over to military Army soldier released by NPA after 4 months in captivity

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- Provincial Governor Yevgeny Vincente Emano on Friday turned over to the military an Army soldier held captive by the New People’s Army (NPA) for four months in the mountains of Misamis Oriental and released earlier today.

Looking a little haggard but good, Private First Class Jess Adonis Lupeba, 26, of the Army’s 58th Infantry Battalion, was released in the outskirts village of Kaulayawan, 14 kilometers south of the coastal town of Sugbongcogon Friday noon.

Ka Allan Juanito, spokesperson of the NPA Northern Mindanao Central Region, said that the release of Lupeba to Emano and the third party committee led by Bishop Felixberto Calang, IFI, of the Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform (PEPP) showed the intention of the National Democratic Front Philippines (NDFP) to urge the government to go back to the negotiation table in order that lasting peace could be attained in the country.

The NPA rebels captured Lupeba during a firefight with government troops in the mountain village of Alagatan in Gingoog City last July 11. He was released after 132 days in captivity.

In his short message during the turnover, Lupeba said that he was not harmed during his captivity, although he admitted the lack of food in the mountain.

“As a captive, my hands are chained and I was guarded 24/7, but given the liberty to move around. My personal necessities were duly respected,” he said.

Bishop Felixberto Calang, head of the third party committee, who worked to facilitate the release of Lupeba in coordination with the provincial government’s crisis committee, said that the release of Lupeba was the easiest since the military has fully cooperated.

“I thank Maj. Gen. Oscar Lactao, the commander of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division in Northern Mindanao, for giving us clearance to have the turnover a success,” Calang said.

Emano and Calang formally turned over Lupeba to the military at the provincial capitol about 5:30 p.m. Friday.

Lt. Col. Jose Nembra, commanding officer of the Army’s 58th IB, welcomed Lupeba and promised that the soldier could join his wife while the military starts processing his return.

Lupeba was met by his teary-eyed wife Henny Lou, parents, and relatives amid a joyful reunion in the cold mountains of Sugbongcogon.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=829543