THE New People's Army (NPA) released on Saturday a soldier, who was held captive for more than two months in a hinterland town of T'boli town in South Cotabato, to Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Subere family.
Private First Class Khen Subere was released in a remote village in Sarangani Province.
Subere, who was declared on absence without leave (Awol) by 27th Infantry Batallion based in Sarangani a day after he was abducted, was turned over to Duterte, who had initiated the negotiation for his release.
Ka Dindo, head of the sub-regional committee of the Far South Mindanao Region-NPA command, said they abducted Subere after he entered an NPA territory.
"Subay sa among investigation, didto namo nakita na walay gilapas na human rights violation si Subere (In our investigation, it was revealed that Subere did not violate any human rights violation)," Ka Dindo said.
Ka Dindo also revealed the delay of release was due to continuous military operations in the area.
He also said that it’s the first time that the Far South Regional Command of the NPA had released a prisoner of war.
Duterte also admitted that Subere's family initially sought for his help for the captive's immediate and safe release.
"Pasalamat ko sa NPA na gibuy-an nila si Subere (I'm thankful to the communist group for agreeing for Subere's release)," Duterte said.
Subere, who hails from Carmen, Davao del Norte, thanked those who made his safe release possible.
"Bisan lahi man ang prinsipyo isig ka grupo, gi-atiman gayud ko nila. Wala ko nila gipasagdan, gihatag nila akong kinahanglan. Girespeto pud nila akong tungod isip isa ka tawo. Pasalamat pud ko sa ilaha (Even as we differ in principles, they took care of me. They treated me well as a person, they tended to my needs and they also respected my rights as a person)," Subere said.
Philippine Army's 10th Infantry Division spokesperson Lieutenant Vergel Lacambra said Suberes admitted at the Naval Forces has been admitted to Eastern Mindanao Command Hospital inside Camp Panacan for further medical attention.
"He will undergo medical check-ups and de-briefing. Once stable na ang kalagayan niya and nakarecover na siya from his release and trauma then pwede na namin siya idischarge para makauwi na siya sa kanyang pamilya," Lacambra told Sun.Star Davao in a phone interview Sunday morning.
Lacambra also assured they are also willing to assist if Subere wants to file a case against those who abducted him.
"Kung ano man ang desisyon pagkatapos siyang marelease ay tutulungan natin siya. Pwede din niya filan ng appropriate charges yung mga rebeldeng kumidnap sa kanya," Lacambra said.
"Pwede din siyang bumalik sa service pero depende pa yan sa investigation sa kanyang Awol status," he added.