COMPOSTELA VALLEY -- The New People's Army (NPA) released on Saturday afternoon two captured policemen and a civilian intelligence agent poser who were held following a road blockade in Mt. Diwalwal.
As this developed, the NPA said it will continue to arrest enemy units and mete out sanctions to companies that continue to commit crime against the people.
Roel Agustin II, spokesperson of the Conrado Heredia Command of the NPA's Front Committee 20, said the release was a unilateral political action of the revolutionary government based on humanitarian reasons.
"This is given to prisoners of wars who have not committed grave violations against the people," Agustin said in a statement.
The staff of Representative Manual "Way Kurat" Zamora and Monkayo Vice Mayor Avelino Cabag witnessed the release of the captured policemen and the civilian.
Immediately after the release, the two policemen -- Police Officer 3 Jerry Realino and Police Officer 3 Raymund Kinsang -- went through the standard debriefing.
The three captives were all in good health and claimed to have been treated well by the rebels.
Realino had all the reasons to be happy because his daughter was celebrating her 5th birthday the time of his release.
"Nalipay gyud ko kaayo kay karong adlawa, birthday sa akong anak. Maayo kaayo nga regalo para sa iya ug sa akong pamilya. Nagpasalamat gyud ko og dako nga ako, kami, wala mi nila (NPA) pasipad-i ug ila ming gi-tratar og maayo," Realino said.
Meanwhile, Agustin warned that the actions of the revolutionary movement will continue, especially in Diwalwal where the "National Government, military and the police forces and transnational capitalists like ZTE are in cahoots to exploit our economic patrimony."
"We are calling on the people and all other progressive forces to be more vigilant and stand united against the atrocities of the fascist and corrupt regime of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo," Agustin said.
