Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte (C) is seen walking with security escorts after the release of five abducted police officers in Paquibato District April 25, 2016. TV5 SCREENSHOT
(UPDATED WITH VIDEO) The five police officers abducted by communist New People's Army (NPA) rebels on April 16 in Davao City have been turned by their captors to Mayor Rodrigo Duterte on Monday after the presidential candidate facilitated their release.
The five policemen - Paquibato Chief of Police C/Inspector Leonardo Tarungoy, PO3 Rosenie Cabuenas, PO3 Rudolph Pacete, PO2 Neil Arellano, and PO3 Abdul Azis Ali – were released to Duterte at past 4 p.m. Monday in Purok 1, Barangay Lumiad, Paquibato District.
They were released after Duterte on Sunday night sealed the negotiation with the NPA rebels who abducted them following an attack of the 72nd Infantry Battalion CAA (Civilian Armed Auxiliary) detachment on April 16 in Sitio Quimanao, Barangay Salapawan, Paquibato District.
Their release also followed a video released by the NPA with PO3 Pacete asking his family not to worry as they had been treated well during their 10-day captivity.
Duterte turned over the five officers to Police Regional Office (PRO)-11 Director Manuel Gaerlan at Camp Quintin M. Merecido in Catitipan, Davao City.
Also present were the officers' family members.
All five are now undergoing medical check-up and debriefing.
This was confirmed by Chief Inspector Milgrace Driz, Davao City Police spokesperson, who said that the five police officers "arrived safely at PRO-11 on board a helicopter together with Mayor Rodrigo Duterte from Barangay Lumiad".
At the same time, Duterte emphasized that he is not left-leaning although he could talk the same language as that of the communists.
"I am not (a communist)...I do not subscribe to their armed struggle," he said, in answer to some allegations that he supports the NPA rebel group.
When asked if there was a demand from the rebels in exchange for the release, Duterte implied there was none adding that the rebels owe him a lot.
During the release, the mayor said the rebels admitted to have abducted the policemen because of the belief that they were sent to the place as reinforcement of the Army.
He said he reminded the rebels of their "gentlemen's agreement" to spare the police from any form of armed encounter because they were only fulfilling their task of ensuring the safety of civilian residents against criminality. He added that investigating an incident, such as the attack of the CAA detachment, was part of police work.
"All is well that ends well," Duterte said in his message during the turnover.
Watch a News5 video report:
With this development, the mayor urged the police to continue with their work. "Do not be afraid to go to the mountains," he stressed.
He, however, advised police officers to be extra careful next time. "Armado talaga mga yan (They are really armed). Just introduce that you are there to investigate an incident. Keep calm you are not fighting an appropriate enemy," he said.
Duterte recalled he was also once a victim of NPA atrocity when the rebels drove into a deep ravine a government equipment for road projects in Paquibato during the early years of his term as mayor. He said it cost the city some P2 million. He also cited an incident when he was nearly killed by the rebels.
Meanwhile, PNP Director Gaerlan called the police officers "heroes" because they were abducted while in the performance of their duty. He also thanked Mayor Duterte for facilitating their release.
He condemned the incident and declared they will not be cowed by threats of armed groups to fulfill their duties.
The turnover was capped with the mayor allowing the police officers to go on vacation for needed rest. He also promised them a vacation to Hong Kong with their family after the elections.
Although his lead widened in the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey of presidential candidates, Duterte said he does not believe in its results.
Asked about Mar Roxas’ challenge for Duterte to withdraw his candidacy if it was proven that PhilHealth helped residents in Davao City, the mayor did not take on the dare.
Duterte called Roxas a “liar”, saying that as chief executive of the city government he signs documents about PhilHealth, and there was no coverage for employees.
http://interaksyon.com/article/126926/5-abducted-police-officers-freed-in-davao-city
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