NPA releases cop in North Cotabato

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – After weeks of captivity, a cop detained by the New People’s Army (NPA) in North Cotabato was released on Wednesday, May 8.

P03 Maula Tato Ali, stationed in the town of Arakan, was seized on April 9 in a checkpoint manned by communist guerillas in Batangay Batobato, President Roxas town.

Ali was turned over by the NPA to peace advocates led by the Sowing The Seeds Of Peace. He was immediately brought to Kidapawan City.

Rubi del Mundo, spokesperson of the National Democratic Front-Southern Mindanao Region, said Ali’s release was authorized after investigations conducted by the revolutionary movement supposedly proved that he did not commit offenses against the people.

“He also did not figure in the cover-up or obstruction of justice that the Arakan police had committed in the case of Fr. Fausto ‘Pops’ Tentorio who was martyred in October 2011,” del Mundo said.

Del Mundo said that Ali was never hurt while he was under custody of the NPA fighters in the area.

“The NDF-Southern Mindanao remains committed to the humane treatment and release of prisoners of war in compliance with the protocols of Geneva conditions and other international humanitarian law instruments. This, despite the war-posturing of the US-Aquino regime and its rejection of peace negotiations to address the roots of the country’s armed conflict,” del Mundo said. – Rappler.com