The New People’s Army on Tuesday freed two army soldiers whom they took as hostages in Davao del Sur as a government panel and leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA continue to hold peace talks aimed at resolving the decades-long insurgency.
Major Gen. Refael Valencia, commander of the Army’s 19th Infantry Division, said Private First Class Samuel Garay Jr., and Seargent Solaiman Calocop, both members of the 39th Infantry Battalion, were released by the communist rebels at Sitio Datal Pitak in Brgy Colonsabak, Matanao town at 9 a.m. on Wednesday.
Valencia said the two army freed soldiers were turned over to former Davao del Sur Congressman Mark Cagas, along with Vice Mayor Edwin Bermudez of Colombio, Sultan Kudarat and the provincial administrator as facilitators.
“We are glad that the CPP-NPA rectified the treacherous and insincere act that they made last February 2 of abducting the two soldiers while there was a ceasefire and an ongoing peace talks,” Valencia said.
The release of the two hostage soldiers was one of the conditions set by President Rodrigo Duterte to the communists barely weeks after the CPP expressed their desire to continue the stalled talks following a series of NPA ceasefire violations in the countryside that led to the killing of dozen of soldiers, including a young lieutenant.
The two soldiers, who was unarmed and in civilian clothes, were forcibly taken by the NPA while they were buying goods at a market in he town of Sultan Kudarat last Feb. 2.
Prior to their release, the NPA has demanded that the government suspend all military operation, which the military rejected.
Velencia said the two soldiers were brought to Camp Panacan Station Hospital for medical checkup and psychological test and the usual debriefing before allowing them to go home.
Valencia said the soldiers appeared to be in good health.
The two soldiers were later reunited with their respective families.
