Rebels free Lupiba

By CONG B. CORRALES
Associate Editor

 KAULAYANAN, Sugbongcogon, Misamis Oriental–The New People’s Army (NPA) yesterday released its “prisoner of war” Pfc. Adonis Jess Lupeba to his wife and family in Barangay Kaulayanan here on orders of the National Democratic Front (NDF), ending his 132 days of captivity.

“Gimaayo ko nila pagtratar. Sakto pud ang supply sa among pagkaon,” Lupiba told reporters when asked how the Maoist rebels treated him while in captivity.

The 26-year old Lupiba, who is from Barangay Iponan, Cagayan de Oro, was taken captive following a clash in Barangay Alagatan, Gingoog City, in July. The NPA claimed that it killed a soldier and hurt seven others during the encounter resulting from its “tactical offensive.”

Lupeba was taken by rebels belonging to an NPA group operating in eastern Misamis Oriental and northeastern Bukidnon.

He added that the NPAs also gave him lectures on the importance of keeping the integrity of the environment, and the reasons behind the raging civil war in the countrysides.

Lupeba hugged his teary-eyed wife when he was formally turned over by the NPA in a program in Barangay Kaulayanan.

TOGETHER AGAIN. Pfc. Adonis Jess Lupiba wipes the tears from his eyes as he is reunited with his wife after being held captive for 132 days by the New People’s Army. (photo by cong b. corrales)

Lupiba thanked the Misamis Oriental Crisis Committee headed by Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano, and the Third Party Facilitators headed by Iglesia Filipina Independiente Bishop Felixberto Calang. He also thanked his captors for taking good care of him.

Luis Jalandoni, NDF chairman, signed Lupeba’s release order.

“Usahay dili kalikayan nga makakaon ‘mi og exotic foods kung apiki ang supply,” Lupeba said jokingly adding that he missed his favorite “chopsuey” his wife often cooked for him.

“Ka Max,” the head of the NPA’s custodial force, said they did everything to ensure Lupiba’s safety and health even with the massive deployment of governement troops on their tail in the past four months and eight days they held Lupiba captive.

“Naningkamot gyud ‘mi para ma-safety siya. Bisan pa sa ‘rescue’ operations gibuhat sa usa ka battalion sa 58th IB ug usa ka kompanya sa 1st Scout Company. Pakyas ang ilang mga intelligence ug reports,” said Ka Max.

He added they never hurt Lupeba since they are strict with their policy of not harming their prisoners of war.

“Nakalatid sa walo ka lagda sa disiplina namo nga dili dagmalan ang bihag,” Ka Max added.

Ka Allan Juanito, spokesperson of the NPA’s Eastern Misamis Oriental-Northeastern Bukidnon Sub-Regional Command, said they could have released Lupeba earlier had it not been for the military’s string of offensives against their combatants in the region.

“Sayo man unta ielease siya (Lupiba) kay nakita sa NDF nga wala siya’y krimen nabuhat ngadto sa mga political organs of the party, sa mga membro sa NDF organizations ug ilabi na sa masa,” said Juanito during the program for Lupiba’s release in the hinterlands of this town.

Juanito said Lupiba’s release is their way of showing their sincerity and preparedness for the resumption of peace talks between the government and the NDF.

Calang, for his part, hoped Lupiba’s release would pave the way for the resumption of the peace talks.

“Importante man gud ang sunod nga substantive agenda kay social and economic reforms ang pagahisgutan sa duha ka parties,” said Calang.

Gov. Emano concurred saying in order to achieve a lasting peace in the province both national government and the NDF should return to the negotiation table. He also thanked 4th Infantry Division commander Major Gen. Oscar Lactao for issuing the stand down order that enabled the successful release of Lupiba.