NPA to release captive cop

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The New People’s Army (NPA) will soon release a policeman kidnapped in Nabunturan, Compostela Valley last March 18, the spokesman for the National Democratic Front (NDF)-Mindanao chapter said Sunday.

The impending release of PO3 Ruben Nojapa is ”in compliance with the NDF’s long-standing policy of lenient treatment of prisoners of war” and  the 1949 Geneva Conventions as well as the GPH-NDF Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, said NDF-Southern Mindanao spokesman Rubi del Mundo.

“No sufficient evidence was established to warrant the prosecution of Nojapa for serious crimes committed against the Filipino people and the revolutionary movement,” Del Mundo added.

Del Mundo also cited the appeal of Nojapa’s family through the humanitarian group Sowing the Seeds for Peace, led by Bishop Delfin Callao.

Nojapa’s family earlier asked the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to suspend military operations to pave the way for his release.

“We value the trust of PO3 Nojapa’s family in our movement and we assure them of our earnest support,” said the convenors of  Sowing the Seeds for Peace.