NPA set to free prisoner in Mindanao

THE New People’s Army (NPA) on Sunday announced that it would free a policeman being held as a prisoner following appeals by his family and peace advocates in Mindanao to release him.

Rebels captured Police Officer 3 Ruben Magno Nojapa, Jr., on March 18 at a checkpoint in Compostela Valley’s Nabunturan town. His companion, Senior Police Officer 2 Randy Masambo managed to escape.

The National Democratic Front, the political wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, has ordered the NPA to free the policeman.

The order came on the same day that fighting broke out in Malaybalay City in Bukidnon province that left one rebel dead.

Major Eugenio Osias, a spokesman for the 4th Infantry Division, said troops clashed with about 15 NPA gunmen in Dalwangan village. Troops were patrolling the area when they ran into a group of rebels.

“The release decision was based on purely humanitarian grounds in the wake of the appeal made by Nojapa’s family and peace advocates that have expressed support for a negotiated settlement within the bounds of international humanitarian law,” Rubi del Mundo, a spokesperson for the NPA, said.

Del Mundo said that the policeman was also investigated by a rebel court which found no reason to detain him any longer.

“After Nojapa’s capture, he was investigated by the responsible organ of the NPA custodial force and no sufficient evidence was established to warrant his prosecution for serious crimes committed against the Filipino people and the revolutionary movement,” Del Mundo said.

“The prisoner’s order of release is an exercise of the political power and authority of the People’s Democratic Government. It is in compliance with the NDFP’s long-standing policy of lenient treatment of prisoners of war and its Declaration of Undertaking to Apply the Provisions of the 1949 Geneva Conventions and Protocol I and the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law,” he noted.

Del Mundo also urged the Philippine military to cease its military offensive in Compostela Valley to pave the way for the safe and orderly release of Nojapa.

The NPA has been fighting for decades for the establishment of a Maoist state in the country.