Commies set to release captive soldier anytime soon

By ALWEN SALIRING
Correspondent

COMMUNIST rebels are set to release Pfc. Adonis Jess Lupeba before the month ends or by October, a member of a group that is working for the release of the New People’s Army (NPA) captive said yesterday.

Iglesia Filipina Independiente Bishop Felixberto Calang, one of the facilitators, revealed that the third party group headed by Misamis Oriental Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano is now preparing for the release of the Army soldier who was seized and held by the rebels in Gingoog City in July.

“Naa naman sa proseso and dili man kita katakda sa ilang schedule but possible, anytime in September or October,” Calang said.

He said the third party group has been in toucj with the military, and they have asked military officials to agree on the conditions set by the NPA to ensure the safe release of Lupeba.

He said the military has commited to listen and consider the NPA’s conditions that includes the suspension of military operations in the area where Lupeba would be released.

“Ako lang gihangyo ang seriousness sa duha ka kampo,” Calang said. He said as third party facilitator, his group has protocols to follow, and the Army should not intervene in anyway intervene during the process of release.

Calang cited the release of two NPA captives, Pfcs. Marnel Cinches and Jerrel Yorong in September last year, when a group of soldiers blocked the convoy of the third party facilitators in Sumilao, Bukidnon. The facilitators had the freed soldiers with them at that time.

“Sa amo man ielease, then among i-turnover sa local government… to Gov. Bambi Emano who heads the local crisis committee, and then eventually, to the family and to the AFP,” Calang explained.

Pfc. Lupeba, a member of the 58th Infantry Batallion, was captured by the NPA in Gingoog City in July 11. The NPA earlier assured that Lupeba was being treated properly based on universally accepted rules on the treatment of prisoners of war.