DAVAO CITY – A teary-eyed Lucia Subere, mother of Private First Class Khen Subere, appeared before the members of the press here on Wednesday to call on government to stop military operation to give way for the immediate release of her son who was captured by the New People’s Army on April 12 in South Cotabato.
Subere is now in custody of the NPA’s Mt. Daguma Sub Regional Operations Command – Far South Mindanao, which operates in the area.
“Akong gihangyo ang mga kadagkuan sa mga militar nga ihunong usa ang ilang operation kay akong nahibaw-an didto sige daw operation, unsaon pagrelease sa akong anak kung sigeg operation? Mao nga nanghangyo gyud ko nga hunongon sa gyud nila, (I am appealing to the leadership of the military to stop their operations because from what I have learned there is an ongoing operation. How will my son be released if there is an ongoing operation? That is why I am appealing for them to stop it temporarily),” Mrs. Subere said.
The family also appealed to the NPA to immediately release their son.
Alejandro O. Magiting, spokesperson of the NPA said that Subere, with serial number 905783 is a member of the 27th Infantry Battalion Philippine Army, whom they “arrested while conducting civic military operations within a guerrilla zone in the Municipality of T’boli, Province of South Cotabato, on 12 April 2015.”
Read related story: NPA declares Army man prisoner of war in South Cotabato
Mrs. Subere told the media that she was informed by her son’s colleagues that Pfc. Subere went out of the camp to withdraw money from his automated teller machine account at 7:00 am of April 11.
He was assigned in Maasin, Sarangani.
From that day, he was not able to return, Mrs. Subere said.
Five days later, they were informed through the social media that the NPA had confirmed that Subere was taken prisoner of war.
“Sa Facebook namo nabalitaan na miangkon na ang NPA (We learned it from Facebook that the NPA has already admitted taking him),” said Klaudhen Subere, sister of Pfc. Subere.
The family also confirmed that they already approached Davao City Mayor and Regional Peace and Order Council chair Rodrigo Duterte to help release their son.
Duterte assured that he will help, said Mrs. Subere.
“Ana siya ‘aw, walay problema dili to sila manghilabot kay boutan man to sila.’ Salig lang gyud mi sa among gipangdoulan (He said ‘there’s no problem, they will not harm him because they are kind’. We are just depending on the people whom we sought for help),” she said.
Meanwhile, 27th IB Commander Lt. Col. Ronald Jess Alcudia said the Army would not suspend military operations “because we have a mandate to protect the communities.”
The Army said Subere “failed to return to his unit in Sarangani after the termination of a Day Pass”. Subere “was marked Absent Without Official Leave (Awol)” effective April 13, 2015, Alcudia said.
“Efforts were exerted by his superiors and classmates to locate him, and convince him to return to duty. Pfc. Subere, however, refused by saying he will not return anymore as he was tired of continuing with his military service,” Alcudia said in a text message.
Alcudia added that in accordance with their policies regarding Awol, Subere was Dropped From the Roster of Troops (DRFT) effective April 23, 2015.
“As he has clearly communicated his disinterest to continue his military service, the 27th IB considers his status as a desertion, and an investigation in-absentia has been initiated,” he said.
Meanwhile, Bishop Hamuel Tequis of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, said they are calling on government to resume the peace talks with the National Democratic Front “to address the root cause of the 45 years of rebellion and poverty.”
He is also the spokesperson of Exodus Justice and Peace in Southern Mindanao Region. (With reports from Ace R. Morandante/davaotoday.com)
