NPAs release video of captured policeman

DAVAO CITY – The New People’s Army (NPA) on Wednesday released a video of a police officer the rebel group captured in Kidapawan City a month ago.

In the video, PO1 Bristol B. Catalan, Jr. said he has been treated well by his captors. He also assured his family that he was safe in the hands of his captors.

“Sukad wa man pud ko kakita og NPA.. Gani ang… maong nakahunahuna gyud ko nga ilaha gyud kong pasakitan. Pero ang nakita ko didto, wala man diay, layo diay sa tinuod. Ultimo pitik, wala man ko katilaw eh.Giatiman ka nila maayo, nagsakit akong rayuma, gitambalan ko. (Ever since I have not seen a Red fighter… That’s why (when I was caught) I thought they would illtreat me. But what I found out, it’s far from the truth. I did not receive even a single flick. They treated me well,” he said.

Catalan also appealed to local government officials to help ensure his immediate release. He also called on the military and the police to stop military offensives.

In a statement, Rigoberto Sanchez, spokesperson of the Regional Operations Command of

the NPA in Southern Mindanao, said relentless operations of government forces have continued to hamper the release of Catalan.

“Negotiations with regards to his possible release are being sabotaged by these operations in the name of the Duterte’s fascist martial law,” Sanchez said.

Last week, the NPAs released a senior police officer it held as a “prisoner of war” for more than three months.