Soldier's parents appeal to New People's Army

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The parents of an Army man are appealing to the New People’s Army (NPA) to immediately release their son who it took hostage in New Bataan, Compostela Valley last month.

Last Thursday, Rudy Trinidad and his wife Juliet were able to talk by phone to Simon Santiago, NPA spokesman and political officer in Southern Mindanao, and conveyed their appeal for the release of their son, Pfc. Ronnie Trinidad.

The Trinidads said they were already at a loss as to the fate of their son who was seized by rebels belonging to the NPA’s Guerrilla Front 25 in Barangay Pagsabangan, New Bataan town.

In fact, Rudy was confined at the Davao Medical Center here after he met an accident upon learning that the insurgents had taken his son hostage.

Santiago assured the Trinidad couple that their son would be accorded his rights and treated well while in captivity.

The NPA spokesman said though that they were still investigating the atrocities and harassment allegedly committed by Trinidad’s unit, the Army’s 66th Infantry Battalion.

Compostela Valley Gov. Arthur Uy also appealed for Trinidad’s release, citing humanitarian reasons.

The Trinidads, through radio station dxDC RMN, were also able to talk to their son, who assured them that the rebels were taking good care of him.

“They are not hurting me. I have been well taken care of and I have been given food on time,” the young Trinidad told his parents in Filipino.

The NPA hostage asked his captors to release him immediately so he could see his parents and siblings.