Jalandoni: NPA to free 4 captive jail officers soon

New People’s Army (NPA) rebels who have been holding four jail officials for over six weeks in Mindanao will free their captives soon, according to communist peace negotiator Luis Jalandoni.

“We’ve already told the families that the investigation involving the four prisoners was over. The revolutionary unit in Mindanao has decided to release them,” Jalandoni, head of the communist-led National Democratic Front (NDF) peace panel, said at a meeting with Inquirer editors and reporters on Tuesday night.

But the NDF leader was not certain about the possible release of Mayor Henry Dano of Lingig, Surigao del Sur province, who was abducted by the rebels at his home.

“I told the wife of Mayor (Dano) that we will relay his appeal to the NPA leadership. But as far as we know, the NPA investigation is still ongoing. If the investigation comes out with positive results, then he would be released,” Jalandoni said.

The captive officials of the Bureau of Jail Managament and Penology were identified as Inspector Erico Llamazares, warden of the Ozamis City jail; Insp. Murphy Tudyog, 27, warden of the Cagayan de Oro City jail; Senior Police Officer 2 Rogelio Begontes and Jail Officer 1 Rolando Bajuyo.

They were moving eight inmates to the Davao Penal Colony on July 21 when NPA guerrillas seized them at a roadblock in Bukidnon province. The rebels also rescued inmate Dennis Rodenas, reportedly a high-ranking NPA leader.

Jalandoni stressed that the release of the four jail officials would require a halt in military and police rescue operations in the area, “which may endanger the prisoners.”

“There should be a ceasefire for a specific area and a specific day. As for how long, it depends on what will be agreed upon,” Jalandoni said.

Relatives of the jail officials met with Jalandoni to appeal for the release of their loved ones during his visit to Davao City last week.

“They were so worried. One of them was planning to get married and was pleading to us to release (her fiancé) so the wedding would push through,” Jalandoni said.

Jalandoni said he assured them that the four captives would be released soon.