DAVAO CITY – The National Democratic Front in North Central Mindanao Region announces on Wednesday that the negotiations for the release of an Army man who was held captive by the New People’s Army as a prisoner-of-war (POW) has started.
Private First Class Adonis Jess M. Lupeba, a member of the 58th Infantry Battalion of the Army was captured in an NPA offensive in Alagatan, Gingoog City last Saturday.
Cesar Renerio, spokesperson of the NDF in North Central Mindanao region said that the NDFP is open to start the negotiations for the safe and orderly release of the Lupeba as soon as possible.
Renerio in a statement said they have yet to contact the local third party facilitators composed of the religious sector and peace and human rights advocates and the Local Crisis Management Committee headed by the Misamis Oriental governor for coordination.
“This is another gesture of peace, underscoring our call for the resumption of the peace negotiations between the NDFP and GPH so the people can understand the root causes of the continuing armed conflict in the Philippines and the means by which just and lasting peace can be achieved,” Renerio said.
Renerio said they reassure the family of the captive soldier “that his rights as a POW are respected in accordance to provisions of the Geneva protocols and CARHRIHL.”
“In more than four decades of advancing the people’s democratic revolution, we have repeatedly proven our strict compliance to these international standards. Rest assured that he will eventually return to his family once the requisites for his safe and orderly release are provided,” said Renerio.
Last year, the NPAs also released two Army men who were captured in Barangay Buntungon, Impasug-ong, Bukidnon.
Pfc. Marnel Cinches and Jerrel Yorong were captured on August 22, 2014 and were released on December 26. (davaotoday.com)
