NPA rebels free captured soldier in Bukidnon

CAMP Osito D. Bahian--The New People's Army (NPA) released on May 23 the government soldier it abducted on May 5 in Valencia City in the province of Bukidnon, a report reaching the DayBreak said.
In a press statement, the military said the NPA released TSg Joseph T. Paredes, a member of the 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army.

The report said, the NPA turned over Paredes to Mayor Azucena P Huervas of Valencia City, Bukidnon at her residence in Barangay Catumbalon, also in Valencia City, Bukidnon on May 23, 2017 at around 9:30 in the evening.

From there, said soldier was sent to Valencia City Police Station before turning him over to his family together with the military. Paredes will undergo series of medical checkups to determine if he is currently in a fine shape.

Paredes, together with his wife was unarmed when the NPA rebels pretended to be police officials who at that time raided a security agency in Valencia City flagged him down in a road blockade and eventually abducted him on May 5, 2017.

Colonel Eric C. Vinoya, commander of the 403rd Infantry (Peacemaker) Brigade, commended the soldiers involved in the operations for their efforts to physically pressure the NPA which eventually led to the release of Paredes.

Vinoya also denounced the terroristic acts of the rebels who he labeled as treacherous for conducting successive acts of violence despite of ongoing peace talks with the government.

"I commend the civilian sector and my troops for tremendous social and physical pressures they have exerted against the NPA," he said adding, "There is no doubt that these pressures coming from the people and our troops on the ground have compelled the NPA to release the abducted soldier unconditionally."

By this time, Vinoya said that Paredes is already with his family after medical checkups.
"I am deeply dismayed by the fact however, that there are still groups like NPA which commit crimes against humanity for some ill reasons. This NPA action is an apparent violation against TSg Paredes’ rights for he is illegally seized for almost a month. We call upon these NPA leaders to end their atrocities if you are truly sincere with the government’s endeavor of attaining peace," said Vinoya.