KIDAPAWAN CITY (MindaNews / 13 January) — The New Peoples’ Army (NPA) in Southern Mindanao region (NPA-SMR) finally admitted, after 15 days, that they are holding captive the deputy police chief of President Roxas town in North Cotabato.
NPA-SMR spokesman Rigoberto Sanchez issued the official statement about the case of Inspector Menardo Nisperos Cui, deputy chief of police of President Roxas, North Cotabato, through an email sent to media on January 12.
Cui was abducted by at least five armed men inside HMB KTV Bar at Barangay Tuael, President Roxas, on December 28.
Sanchez said it was their ‘Red fighters’ from the Mount Apo Sub-Regional Command NPA Front 53 that arrested Cui and declared him a ‘prisoner of war.’
He also admitted they are keeping in their custody a 9mm pistol seized from Cui.
Cui is being ‘investigated’ for his ‘counter-insurgency’ activities and possible crimes against the rebel movement, he said.
The rebel spokesman said that while in their custody, Cui would be provided with all his basic needs, in accordance with the NPA’s Rules of Discipline; Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and the International Humanitarian Law (CARHIHL); and international war protocols.
Cui’s mother, Felomina had earlier appealed to the group holding her son to release him the soonest so he could attend to the funeral of his wife who died days after the incident.
Felomina said the health condition of her daughter-in-law Florelie worsened when she learned her husband’s abduction.
Bishop Colin Bagaforo of the Diocese of Kidapawan has organized a group of priests and religious tasked to negotiate for Cui’s safe release. (Malu Cadelina-Manar / MindaNews)
