MEMBERS of the Subere family appealed to the New People's Army (NPA) on Thursday for the immediate and safe release of a soldier abducted by the rebel group last April 12 in the hinterland town of T'boli, South Cotabato.
Private First Class Kenneth Subere of 27th Infantry Battalion (IB) is being held captive by communist rebels somewhere in T'boli.
Kenneth's siblings, including her mom Lucia Subere, sister Khlauden R. Subere, and Bishop Hamuel G. Tequis of Exodus for Justice and Peace issued the appeal on Thursday, June 4.
Lucia said the NPA recently admitted they have been holding the 26-year-old soldier under their custody through a statement relayed to media organizations.
"Unta buhian na ninyo (NPA) ang akong anak na si Kenneth Subere. Siya lang gyud ang akong gisaligan sa among pamilya (I hope you (rebels) release my son Kenneth Subere. He's the breadwinner of our family)," the teary-eyed Lucia said.
Lucia confirmed that her son asked for permission on April 12 from their 27th IB company to leave their base and withdraw money at an ATM machine in T'boli poblacion, but had not returned since.
In a statement, Lieutenant Colonel Jess Alcudia, commander of 27th IB, confirmed that Subere was indeed abducted by rebel group.
"Subere said that he was tired of continuing his military service and left the base last April 12. Subere is not considered anymore as prisoner of war (POW) but a abduction victim after he was announced to have been on absence without official leave (Awol) for failing to return to his unit in Sarangani.
Philippine Army's 10th Infantry Division spokesperson Lieutenant Vergel Lacambra, in a phone interview with Sun.Star Davao Thursday, said that they are also exerting efforts to work with the authorities to locate the abducted victim.