DAVAO CITY – The New People’s Army confirmed that it was holding as prisoner a government soldier and released on Thursday night a video clip of the soldier in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental.
Private First Class Adones Jess Maghanoy Lupiba, a member of the Army’s 58th Infantry Battalion, was captured in a raid last Saturday (July 11) in Barangay Alagatan in Gingoog City. Lupiba appeared in a one minute and 52 seconds video sitting in the forest wearing a black shirt and a shawl around his neck. He was also covered in a camouflage blanket.
At the first part of the video, Lupiba identified himself and then continued to relay a message to his family.
“Akong ikapaabot lang nga dili lang angay mabalaka ang akong ginikanan, ang akong asawa kay naa man ko sa maayong kabutang, giaayo man ko nila og amuma diri isip usa ka prisoner-of-war (I would like to let my parents, my wife, know that there is no need to worry. I am in good condition, they are taking care of me here as a prisoner-of-war),” Lupiba said in his video message.
Lupiba also said that the weather is cold in the mountains but assured his family that he was treated well.
“Dili lang angay mabalaka kay okay ra akong kahimtang diri. Bisan tuod unsa ka tugnaw pero makaya ra kay giatiman man ko nilag maayo diri sa mga igsoon natong NPA (There is no need to worry because I am in good condition here. Although it’s really cold, but it is manageable because our NPA brothers are treating me well),” he said.
He said that he has no wounds but only scratches from their travel in the mountains.
“Sa akong pamilya dili lang angay mabalaka kay wala koy samad maliban lang sa mga galos tungod sa lisod nga dalan pero dili lang maayo mabalaka kay naa man ko sa maayong mga kamot (My family should not also worry because I am not wounded except for some scratches due to the difficult trails),” he said.
He also told his wife not to worry because their plans will be fulfilled.
“Iampo lang ko ninyo nga unta moabot na ang panahon mga mapadali ang pagpanaog sa akoa ug dili lang angay mabalaka akong asawa kay puhon-puhon ang atong mga plano mapadayon gihapon (Just pray that my speedy release will push through and to my wife, do not worry because our plans will still continue),” he said.
On Wednesday, the National Democratic Front announced that they are open to negotiate for the release of Lupiba as a gesture of peace. (davaotoday.com)
