NPA in Mindoro frees captive after 17 days

CITY OF CALAPAN — An alleged member of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) under the 203rd Brigade of the Philippine Army was released Monday in Oriental Mindoro, the New People’s Army (NPA) said.

In a press release, Ka Madaay Gasic, spokesperson of the NPA’s Lucio De Guzman Command based in Mindoro, said Raymando Malupa, after 17 days of being a prisoner of war of one of their units, was released.

Gasic, however, did not provide other details of the release.

He was arrested in the evening of April 5 with Peter Delos Santos, chief of Malo village, and head barangay tanod (village watchman) Rocky Bueta, in Bansud town in Oriental Mindoro province.

Delos Santos and Bueta were released on April 6 after undergoing the Reds’ “judicial investigation.”

Gasic said Malupa, during his investigation by the Demokratikong Gubyernong Bayan (DGB-Democratic People’s Government), admitted his involvement in operations against civilians alleged to be connected with Communist Party of the Philippines, the NPA and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (CPP-NPA-NDFP) and undergoing surveillance operations against the revolutionary movement and members.

Gasic said they respected his rights as a POW and was released because of the promise to reform and to indemnify his victims. /lzb