Cotabato PNP will not negotiate for release of captive cop

From MindaNews (Mar 9): Cotabato PNP will not negotiate for release of captive cop

Police in North Cotabato will never negotiate with a rebel group that abducted the deputy chief of one of the municipalities in the province.


Insp. Menard Cui. Photo from his Facebook page

Supt. Leo Ajero, deputy chief of operations of the Cotabato Police Provincial Office (CPPO), said it is never their policy to talk or work on the release of any of their men who would be held captive by any rebel group.

Also, the PNP will never exchange a captive police to a criminal element that they apprehended, especially so when the prisoner is a member of the rebel organization.

Reports are circulating that the New Peoples’ Army (NPA) Front 53 wanted to release Insp. Menard Cui, deputy chief of police of the municipality of President Roxas, in lieu of a certain Mylan Andas, a tribal leader who was apprehended by the police in Magpet town in 2017.

Andas, reports added, held a top post in the NPA in North Cotabato.

“No, that won’t happen. We will never exchange somebody who has long been wanted by law to our colleague who was abducted by the NPA,” said Ajero in a press conference held at Dawn’s Café here Friday.

But Ajero said they would never interfere with the recent negotiations being done by the Diocese of Kidapawan and some non-government organizations (NGOs) for Cui’s safe release from his captors.

“We do appreciate such initiatives. But again, on the side of the PNP, that can never happen,” he stressed.

Cui was abducted in Barangay Tuael, President Roxas last December 28.

Cui was having a drinking session with friends from one of the KTV bars in President Roxas town when at least five men, who identified themselves as NPA members, snatched and brought him to the mountains in North Cotabato.

Cui’s wife Florelie, who was confined for cancer, died a few days after her husband’s abduction. Her heartbroken father reportedly likewise died of heart attack soon after.

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