NPA rebels free soldier held captive for 3 months

TAGUM CITY—Communist rebels released on New Year’s Eve a soldier who was seized by the rebels more than three months ago, military officials on Friday confirmed.

Sgt. Adriano Bingil was received by local officials, led by Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, in Las Nieves town, Agusan del Norte province, on Thursday, said Capt. Joe Patrick Martinez, spokesperson of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division (ID).

Bingil, who hails from Cagayan de Oro City, was snatched at gunpoint by New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas as he was passing by a rebel roadblock in Policarpio village in San Luis, Agusan del Sur, on Sept. 19.

The unarmed Bingil, squad leader of the Mahagsay patrol base of the Army’s 26th Infantry Battalion, was on a motorcycle driven by village councilman Rene Galino, when rebels abducted him.

San Luis Mayor Ronald Corvera, who heads the municipal crisis committee, and Agusan del Norte Rep. Lawrence Fortun accompanied Duterte in receiving Bingil, Martinez said.

Also witnessing the release were members of the Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform led by Bishop Bert Calang of Iglesia Filipina Independiente church.

Brig. Gen. Paul Atal, 4th ID commander, said Bingil’s kidnapping was a “punishable crime.”

“Nevertheless, we appreciate the rebels’ gesture of returning our soldier,” said Atal.

He said he hoped that the soldiers’ release meant “renewed faith in peace” by the rebels.

After the release, Duterte flew Bingil on a helicopter to the division advanced command post in Bancasi, Butuan City.