By Manny Piñol
Leading Presidential candidate Rody Duterte cancelled his campaign sorties today to secure the release of five Davao City policemen earlier abducted by the New People’s Army.
Duterte, accompanied by select members of the media, flew by helicopter to a designated release area in Barangay Mapula, Paquibato District, Davao City
The five police officers were abducted last week in Paquibato District by the 1st Pulang Bagani Command of the NPA.
The abductees were responding to the community upon receiving report from the residents that a civilian was hurt in a clash between government forces and a “lawless armed group” around 7 a.m. on Saturday.
Chief Insp. Leonardo V. Tarongoy, the station commander of Paquibato Police Station, PO3 Rosenie L. Cabuenas, PO3 Rudolf Pacete, PO3 Abdul Azis A. Ali Jr. and PO2 Neil C. Arellano, and civilian driver Ronald Dordas were on board their patrol vehicle en route to Brgy. Salapawan when they were flagged down in Brgy. Mapula.
As of posting time, Duterte is heard over a local radio station talking to the members of the community where the release will take place which obviously includes members of the NPA.
In the radio broadcast, Duterte was heard telling the people that should he become President he would like to attend to the poverty in the countryside by providing livelihood projects and end the rebellion.
He also promised to deploy doctors to the villages to attend to the health needs of the people.
Duterte, in a style people and even the NPAs are already familiar of, warned the members of the community not to abuse the assistance given by the government.
He also told the NPAs and the members of the community not to get involved with drugs.
“Try getting involved with drugs and I will comeback and massacre all of you,” Duterte warned in jest and the crowd was heard responding with a loud laughter.
This is not the first time Duterte has visited NPA camps to secure the release of policemen, soldiers and government men abducted by the NPAs.
Duterte has promised to end the 46-year-old Communist insurgency if he becomes President.
(File photo shows Duterte in an NPA camp.)
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