NPA frees retired Army sergeant in Bukidnon

KIDAPAWAN CITY — The New Peoples’ Army (NPA) operating in the provinces of North Cotabato and Bukidnon released on Friday a retired Army sergeant after they found him not guilty of any counter-revolutionary activities. Isabel Santiago, spokesperson of the Herminio Alfonso Command of NPA Front 53, said Master Sergeant Mario Veluz has no direct culpability or serious violations to the rebel movement even if he was active in combat operations for more than three decades. The release of Veluz came even as the government and the National Democratic Front have resumed formal talks in Norway. Also, both government and rebel forces are observing a ceasefire which started February 15 and ends midnight of February 21. Veluz was seized when the rebels conducted a surprise checkpoint along the Davao-Bukidnon highway on Feb 6. Veluz’s pistol was also taken from him, the NPA rebel spokesperson said. Veluz was turned over to North Cotabato Governor Lala Talino-Mendoza in Barangay Kagawaan in Kibawe town around 10 a.m. Friday. Veluz used to work as security officer of Mendoza when she was still the congresswoman of North Cotabato’s first district. He retired from military service last month. Santiago, in a press statement issued to media Friday, said that while Veluz was under their custody, his rights under the International Humanitarian Law were protected. On February 6, Veluz was on his way to North Cotabato when he was flagged down along the highway in Bukidnon by members of the NPA Front 53. — Malu Manar/RSJ, GMA News