NPA releases abducted RPA member on Christmas Day

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – A member of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade, who was abducted 15 days ago in La Castellana town, Negros Occidental, was released by the New People's Army on Christmas Day.

Cirilo Bagnoran, 42, was freed by the NPA's Leonardo Panaligan Command at its detachment in Barangay Macahagay, Moises Padilla town, Negros Occidental last December 25, or 10 days after he was kidnapped.

On December 10, some 50 rebels attacked the cock farm, where Bagnoran was working, of RPA-ABB leader Rene "Maco" Europa at Hacienda Jamandre in Barangay Robles of La Castellena town. Bagnoran was taken away, but Europa was able to elude the abductors.

Bagnoran and Europa were tagged by the NPA in the murders of Cristie Florendia of Kasilingan Village, La Castellana and Elmer Macurba of Barangay Manlak,Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental in 2012.

In a statement, Ka Heneroso Silong, chief of the People's Court of the NPA, said the release of Bagnoran came after the latter was acquitted from all the criminal charges.

Silong said the "court" decided to dismiss the case against Bagnoran after an investigation team, formed to probe the killings, found that Bagnoran had no involvement in the killing incidents considering that he was confined in a hospital at the time.

The rebels' probe team also found out that Bagnoran did not receive any money from a politician in the province to kill Florendia, according to Silong's released statement.

After he was freed by the rebels, Bagnoran, in a radio interview, said he was not harmed by the rebels throughout his two-week captivity. He was happy that he was released on Christmas Day, but that he will leave the RPA-ABB as it was one of the conditions set by the NPA for his release.

Early this week, Bagnoran's wife, Mildred, and their children had sought the help of  various government agencies and non-government organizations to help facilitate his release.

A serious illegal detention complaint against the NPA was filed by Bagnoran's family before the Commission on Human Rights on Monday, December 21.

On Tuesday, the family met with Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. to ask for his help. The governor also called on the rebels to release Bagnoran in the spirit of Christmas. (FREEMAN)