A day before New Year DUTERTE OBTAINS RELEASE OF ARMY SOLDIER FROM NPA

By Ben O. Tesiorna

CNN Philippines

Davao City (CNN Philippines)—Communist Party of the Philippines’ (CPP) armed wing New People’s Army (NPA) released an Army soldier on New Year’s eve.

The release of Army Corporal Adriano Bingil was made in Barangay Durian, Las Nieves in Agusan del Norte on Thursday afternoon (December 31).

He has been a prisoner of war (POW) for more than three months.

The 34-year old Bingil was captured by the NPA last September during a peace outreach mission in Barangay Mahagsay in his area of assignment in San Luis, Agusan del Sur.

The unarmed Bingil was on a motorcycle driven by village councilman Reneboy Galino when the rebels pulled them over in Barangay Policarpio.

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who personally received Bingil from the rebels, facilitated the release. Also witnessing the release were the Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform led by Bishop Bert Calang of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) church.

After the release, Duterte flew Bingil onboard a helicopter to the military headquarters in Bancasi, Butuan City where he was turned over to AFP officers.

(Photo credit: Army Corporal Adriano Bingil (in white) was captured by the New People’s Army last September during a peace outreach mission in his area of assignment in San Luis, Agusan del Sur. Nef Luzon)