So. Cotabato NPAs free soldier upon Duterte's request

KORONADAL CITY - Communist rebels operating in South Cotabato on Saturday freed a prisoner of war following a negotiation conducted by Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.Ka Efren, speaking for the New Peoples Army-Far South Mindanao Region, said the communist rebels freed Private First Class Ken Subere of the 27th Infantry Battalion to Duterte in the town of Kiamba, Saranggani province Saturday afternoon.Duterte fetched the soldier at past 2 p.m.Speaking over DXOM-AM Radyo Bida Koronadal, Ka Efren said the release of Subere was also made possible through the negotiation of several leaders, church workers and political leaders.
He said Subere was found not guilty by the NPA court of any offense to the movement or to civilian communities.For humanitarian condition, Ka Efren said, the NPA decided to free Subere to Mayor Duterte who managed to talk to the soldiers' captors.Lt. Colonel Ronald Jess
Alcudia, 27th IB chief welcomed the news.He said Subere went on AWOL or absences without official leave.But Subere's parents who were from DAvao region said he did not went on leave.The captured, and eventually released soldier was last seen in Barangay New Dumanggas, T'boli, South Cotabato, reportedly to visit his family but has not returned since then.Military officials later confirmed he was captured by the NPA operation in the upland town.