An Army soldier held captive for 104 days by communist rebels was freed on New Year ‘s Day, with presidential aspirant Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte helping facilitate his release.
Sgt. Adriano Bingil, 34, a member of the Bayanihan team of the Philippine Army’s 26th Infantry Battalion assigned in San Luis, Agusan del Sur was reunited with his mother Myrna, wife Genalyn and their two daughters after being held by the rebel group in the mountain parts of Agusan last Sept. 19, 2015.
“Though I was handcuffed every time, the rebels treated me well during my 104 days of captivity,” Bingil told Mindanao reporters after he was released.
Duterte, who flew from Davao to Barangay Durian Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte for Bingil’s release, said that he was happy for the soldier’s release.
“His release is timely considering tonight is already New Year. It will be a happy reunion with his family,“ Duterte told reporters.
The Davao City chief reiterated the call of the NDF for a resumption of peace talks with the government, saying that this would end the 47 years of bloody fighting between the government and the rebels.
“No country will progress if it remains divided by a brutal war in the countryside,” Duterte said.
Allan Juanito, the spokesperson of NPA in North Central Mindanao, said that the soldier was intercepted in an NPA checkpoint in Km. 16, Barangay Policarpio, San Luis, Agusan del Sur onboard a motorcycle.
Bingil was serving as the team leader of the Peace and Development Team under the 26th Infantry Battalion who were conducting their activity for Community Organizing for Peace and Development in Mahagsay, Agusan del Sur.
Juanito said that a total 30 prisoners of war were released by the NPA for 2015 alone.
Accompanying Duterte in Bingil’s turnover was Mayor Ronaldo Corvera of San Luis, Agusan del Sur and Agusan del Norte Rep. Lawrence Fortun.
Also witnessing the release were Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform led by Bishop Bert Calang of Iglesia Filipina Independiente.
Military officials, meanwhile, welcomed the timely release of Bingil but took a snipe at the rebels.
“What the NPA did is plain kidnapping and it is a crime punishable by law. Nevertheless, we appreciate the gesture of them returning our soldier, hoping that they are projecting a renewed faith in peace and aspiring to resume the peace talks with the government through the NDF,” Brigadier General Paul Atal, Acting Commander, 4th Infantry Division said in a statement sent to The Standard.
Bingil was immediately received by troops from the 4th Infantry Division and the 401st Infantry Brigade for check-up.
The soldier was then flown by Mayor Duterte to the Division Advance Command Post in Brgy. Bancasi, Butuan City for proper endorsement.