Kidnapped mayor, 2 others to be freed this Sunday – rebels

COMPOSTELA VALLEY – Communist rebels have confirmed the release anytime Sunday of Lingig, Surigao del Sur Mayor Henry Dano, and his two escorts – Cpl. Alrey Desamparado and Pfc. Alan Saban.

Dano and his escorts were seized when New People’s Army (NPA) rebels stormed his house in Lingig in August.

Rubi del Mundo, spokesperson of the National Democratic Front (NDF) in Southern Mindanao, said the release of the three captives had been finalized and will take place in an undisclosed area here Sunday.

On Saturday, the New People’s Army also freed the four Bureau of Jail  Management and Penology (BJMP) officers they abducted at a road block in Quezon, Bukidnon on July 21.

Col. Leopoldo Galon, spokesperson of the military’s Eastern Mindanao Command, said the releases proved that the government need not declare a suspension of military and police operations to secure the freedom of rebel-held captives.