By EARL O. CONDEZA AND ACE R. MORANDANTE
Davao Today
Somewhere in Paquibato District, Davao City — The New People’s Army released today five soldiers they held as prisoners of war for 43 days.
At 3:45 pm today (Wednesday) the NPA First Pulang Bagani Battalion led by Ka Parago released the five captive soldiers to Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and peace advocates from Exodus for Justice and Peace.
One of the soldiers’ parent accompanied the mayor to receive the five.
The five soldiers, Corporal Emmanuel Quezon (Serial No. 827510), Pfc. Vernie Padilla (SN 898234), Pvt. Marteniano Pasigas (SN 901766), Pfc. Ronald Gura (SN 898248) and Pfc. Donato Estandian (SN 893670), were captured by the NPAs in June 17 in a checkpoint mounted by communist guerillas in Bangkaan, Paquibato District.
Davao region of late has seen many government soldiers implementing its counter-insurgency campaign Oplan Bayanihan in the hinterland being captured by communist guerrillas, but were released on humanitarian grounds. (Earl O. Condeza and Ace R. Morandante, davaotoday.com)
AFP, anti-insurgency, Ka Parago, Liberation Movements, mayor duterte, mayor rody duterte, NPA, parago
