NPA releases 6 peddlers after 53 days in captivity

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines—Six mat peddlers abducted by New People’s Army rebels were freed Tuesday evening, after 53 days in captivity.

The six peddlers from Barangay (village) Tubigan, Initao, Misamis Oriental were taken prisoner by the rebels last August 17 in the boundary between Dava City’s Paquibato District and and San Fernando, Bukidnon.

The six—James Mabaylan, Ronald Boiles, Ernesto Callo Jr., Nelson Bagares, Segundino Dailo Jr., and Julieto Sarsaba—were presented to the media by Misamis Oriental Vice Gov. Norris Babiera, who helped work out their release.

Babiera said he met the six at about 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Iglesia Filipina Independiente Church in Barangay Bulua here. The six were escorted by IFI church officials and members of the advocacy group Sowing the Seeds of Peace.

Babiera said the rebels did not demand a prisoner swap nor ask for any ransom.

Babiera said the rebels also returned the P54,075 sin earning of the peddlers as well as various personal effects.

The six were abducted after entering a rebel-controlled area between Bukidnon and Davao City.

The rebels reportedly belonged to a group led by Leoncio Pitao, better known as Parago. The six were accused of doing surveillance work for the military while selling their wares in the hinterlands.

Babiera said he, along with Misamis Oriental Governor Oscar Moreno, had forwarded an appeal last September 27 to Luis Jalandoni, chair of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines peace negotiating panel, for the release of the peddlers.

Jalandoni responded to the appeal on October 8, and said he was forwarding the appeal to the “pertinent organ of the revolutionary movement.”

Looking tired but otherwise in good spirits, Segundino Dailo, one of the six, said they were treated fairly by the rebels.

“We ate what they ate and they treated as like brothers,” Dailo said.

Colonel Apolinario Alobba, deputy commander of the Army’s 403rd Brigade based in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, said Philippine Army troops were poised to resume operations against the group of Pitao.

“They committed an unlawful act in abducting the six so we will go after them,” Alobba said.

Alobba said the rebels also violated the rights of the six when they held them captive and urged the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to look into the matter.

“Human rights groups should file a complaint in the CHR against Parago’s group for this violation,” Alobba said.