Amid Duterte-Sison word war, NPA releases cop seized July 11

DAVAO CITY – Despite the word war between President Rodrigo Duterte and top communist officials, the New People’s Army on Friday released the policemen it has taken captive two weeks ago.

PO1 Alfredo Basabica Jr., who was taken at a checkpoint manned by communist guerrillas in Compostela town, Compostela Valley on July 11, was released in an undisclosed area in Davao Oriental.

The release of the 26-year-old policeman, a member of the Provincial Public Safety Company of Davao Oriental, was expected to boost the chances of resumption of the talks between the government and the communists.

The backchannel talks and the fifth round of talks with the communists were called off by the government following a series of clashes on the ground.

The National Democratic Front said that communist guerrillas were only responding to attacks by government forces.

Sources from both parties said the panels will continue to explore ways to overcome the recent snag in the negotiations.

Despite the challenges in the negotiations, both peace panels have worked hard and achieved significant achievements in the talks, especially on the aspects of human rights, socio-economic reforms, and political and constitutional reforms.