NPA frees Army private in Tagum

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The New People’s Army (NPA) freed yesterday Army Private First Class Ronnie Trinidad, almost three weeks after he was captured in Compostela Valley.

Simon Santiago, NPA Southern Mindanao political officer and spokesman, said Trinidad was released to the Iglesia ni Kristo church in Tagum City, Davao del Norte.

The order to release Trinidad was reportedly issued at around 1 p.m. yesterday.

Trinidad was freed two days after he was allowed by his captors to talk with his parents over the phone.

Trinidad’s parents Rudy and Juliet earlier appealed to the NPA to release their son whom they said is the family’s sole breadwinner.

Trinidad’s father remains confined at the Davao Medical Center after figuring in an accident when he rushed to Davao City from their home in Sultan Kudarat province upon learning that the NPA had captured his son.

The Iglesia ni Kristo hierarchy had a hand in urging the NPA to free Trinidad, sources said.

Trinidad was taken by the NPA’s Pulang Bagani Command of the Guerrilla Front 25 in Sitio Bongloy, Barangay Pagsabangan, New Bataan, Compostela Valley. — Edith Regalado