GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines— The New People’s Army (NPA) on Friday said it has postponed the scheduled release of Cpl. Dominador Alegre, who was captured by guerrillas at a raid on a militia outpost in Barangay New Kapatagan in Monkayo, Compostela Valley on Nov. 2.

Rigoberto Sanchez, spokesperson of the NPA’s Merardo Arce Command, said in a statement that Alegre was supposed to be freed this week but the Army has not suspended its offensives in Compostela Valley.

Sanchez said the release was postponed to ensure the safety of the POW, or prisoner of war.

Although the military continued its offensives, the NPA said it was searching for ways to safely release Alegre.

Sanchez assured the Alegre family that “the captured soldier is in good condition as his custodial unit upholds the NPA policy of humane and lenient treatment toward prisoners of war.”

Since the NPA raid that led to the capture of Alegre and the seizure of 18 government-issued firearms, several clashes between the Army and the NPA already took place in Compostela Valley.

The latest was Wednesday in Maragusan town, where at least 500 people were displaced.

Running gun battles raged in two villages in Maragusan town, killing a suspected rebel and wounding a soldier, according to Maj. Randolph Cabangbang, spokesperson of the military’s Eastern Mindanao Command. Aquiles Zonio and Frinston Lim, Inquirer Mindanao