CPP orders release of Surigao del Sur mayor

DAVAO CITY—The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) has ordered the release of Lingig, Surigao del Sur Mayor Henry Dano but was mum on the fate of his two army escorts.

Dano and his escorts, Cpl. Alrey Desamparado and Pfc. Allan Saban, were seized by New People’s Army (NPA) rebels from the mayor’s house in Lingig on Aug. 6.

Luis Jalandoni, chief of the National Democratic Front’s peace negotiating panel, also announced the impending release of four Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) personnel that NPA rebels seized in Bukidnon in July.

A Baguio City-based woman had sent the Inquirer a copy of her letter appealing for the release of Insp. Murphy Todyog, her son in a previous marriage and a BJMP officer.

“We believe you are humans who have pity for the four public servants who are just doing their jobs,” said the Sept. 30 letter of Ann Todyog-Bomowey.

Todyog is being held captive by the NPA with BJMP officers Erico Llamares, Rogelio Begontes and Rolando Bajoyo Jr. They were seized on July 21 while transporting prisoners, that included a suspected rebel.

Mel Rivera, CPP regional committee spokesperson, said Friday that the order for Dano’s release was based on “a political decision.” Dano, said Rivera, had apologized for his supposed crimes, including the murder of a peasant leader.Germelina Lacorte , Inquirer Mindanao and Vincent Cabreza, Inquirer Northern Luzon