NPA frees NorCot police lieutenant to SAP Bong Go

MAGPET, North Cotabato-- The New People's Army's (NPA) released the deputy chief of police of President Roxas municipality in Cotabato to Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence Bong Go in a remote village in Magpet town, North Cotabato on Friday.The release of Inspector Menard Cui came after seven months of negotiations with the NPA for the former’s release. Cui was abducted on December 28, 2017 and held as Prisoner of War by the rebelsCui was received by SAP Go from members of the NPA's Guerilla Front 23, First Pulang Bagani Battalion.Go, who flew by chopper to Sitio Apog-Apog — the remotest area between Barangay Tiko, Magpet and Barangay Salaysay, Davao City --thanked the NPA for showing goodwill in releasing the police officer.He said the policeman's release came with no financial demand, adding the NPA also returned Cui's personal belongings.Go said he also provided Cui financial assistance to start a new life and spend time with his three children. He advised Cui to visit the grave of his wife, Florelie, who died of sickness a month after Cui’s abduction. Cui's family sought Go's help in January.Go turned over Cui to Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 Director Manuel Gaerlan and Chief Supt Marcelo Morales, PRO-12 Regional Director, in a ceremony at Camp Quintin Merecido in Davao City, where Cui also reunited with his family.ClearedKa Tricia, spokesperson of NPA's First Pulang Bagani Battalion operating in North Cotabato and Bukidnon areas, read the release order for Cui from the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP)-Southern Mindanao Region that was signed by Rubi del Mundo of the NDFP-SMR Executive Council.Tricia said the policeman's release was in accordance with the provision of the Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights and the International Humanitarian Law and the Geneva Protocol. She said Cui underwent NPA's internal judicial processes and was cleared of wrongdoing.Ka Joel, NPA platoon leader of Front 53, said Cui was fed with the same food for the rebels if there was no chance to buy food supply. Everyday we eat vegetables, he said in Cebuano.Joel noted Cui lost weight from the time he was turned over to the custodial force.Cui was thankful he was finally freed, saying he was treated well by the NPA custodial force.Go said there was no question on the sincerity shown by President Rodrigo Duterte in reaching out to the communist movement. kilala ko ang Presidente. Sincere siyang kausap (I know the President.He is a sincere person), Go said as he cited the President’s signing of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), now known as Bangsamoro Organic law (BOL).He underscored the President’s wish to achieve peace with the communist, but noted that there are certain conditions that must be met for the resumption of the talks.Go said he remains optimistic that the peace talks will be resumed soon, based on the pronouncement of the Presidential Peace Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Jesus Dureza.(PNA)