Families of the New People’s Army (NPA)’s five captives sought for the latter’s release, as the National Democratic Front of the Philippines Southern Mindanao gave the release order Thursday.
Two Agusan del Sur minors who were accused and detained of purportedly taking part in the killing of a barangay captain were released from a youth facility here Wednesday. Their mothers, however, wanted justice to grind on the militia men and Army personnel who allegedly tortured their sons.
The two teenage lumad minors detained last July 22 in Loreto, Agusan del Sur, are finally free to go as the murder complaint against them by the military were dismissed by the provincial state prosecutor. The minors, Alan, aged 16; and John, 17 (both not real names) were flagged down by soldiers and paramilitary in their village and were reportedly tortured the night before they were detained. (davaotoday.com photo by John Rizle L. Saligumba)
Transmision-PISTON spokesperson Edil Gonzaga said their group will be calling public utility drivers to “chip-in” a minimum of P20 to this cause. “We agreed to a P20 each for starters per driver, excluding other forms of relief such as food items and clothing. They are more than happy to give, as they can earn it in only a day since the transport strike was postponed,” said Gonzaga.
Mayor Duterte also shot down suggestions from Tacloban officials to declare martial law in the city following looting and chaos. “We are not dealing with fighting forces, we are dealing with human misery,” he said.