Church leaders plead to defer military operations in NorMin

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Church leaders in Northern Mindanao are pleading for the suspension of military operations to secure the release of the army soldier held captive by the communist rebels in Misamis Oriental.

In a letter to President Benigno Aquino III dated July 20, 2015, the Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform (PEPP) appealed to the President for the suspension of military and police operations in the region to ensure the safe release of Pfc. Adonis Jess Lupiba.

The communist New People’s Army (NPA) captured Lupiba when the rebels attacked a team of government troopers in the hinterland village of Alaga-tan in Gingoog City, Misa-mis Oriental last July 11, 2015.

The National Democratic Front (NDF) in Mindanao has asked for the suspension of the military and police operations in the tri-boundary of Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, and Agusan Del Norte to facilitate the safe release of Lupiba.

The letter, signed by Archbishop Antonio Ledes-ma, of the Archdiocese of Cagayan De Oro and Bishop FelixbertoCalang of the Diocese of the Iglesia Filipina Indepen-diente in Cagayan De Oro, said that the PEPP is a third party committee now wor-king to facilitate the release of Pfc. Lupiba.

Also attached was the undated letter from Lupi-ba’s wife and parents pleading for the President’s intercession for the safe release of Lupiba in captivity.

“NangaliyupoakokanimohalangdonngaPresidente, isip Commander-in-Chief sanasud, anaasaimongmgakamotangkaluwasansaakongbana,”( As President and the country’s Commander-in-Chief, I am appealing for your Excellency since the safety of my husband’s life now lies in your hands,” Lupiba’s wife Hennie Lou wrote.

The PEPP also informed the President that the local NDF has also expressed the desire to release the soldier if the security and the environment permit.

Last year, the PEPP as third party committee together with the local government unit also succeeded in the negotiation that led to the release of the two soldiers held captive by the NPA rebels in the mountains of Bukidnon. (PNA)