Cop held hostage by Reds for 2 months freed | ABS-CBN

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Cop held hostage by Reds for 2 months freed

Cop held hostage by Reds for 2 months freed

Angelo Andrade,

ABS-CBN News

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Angelo Andrade, ABS-CBN News

TALAKAG – Communist rebels released Thursday a police officer held hostage for the past two months.

PO2 Anthony Natividad was held captive by New People's Army fighters who were supposedly under the Mt. Kitanglad Sub-regional Committee, on February 9.

Natividad was traveling from Kalilangan, Bukidnon to Cagayan de Oro City on his motorcycle when rebels flagged him down at their checkpoint in Barangay Tiklaan, Talakag town.

The police officer was supposedly on his way to a medical checkup.

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Local third party facilitators composed of religious sectors spearheaded the release of Natividad, but the release was delayed since local National Democratic Front officials wanted military operations to be suspended in several Bukidnon villages, which the military could not do.

Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno, chairman of the Regional Peace and Order Council, wrote a letter intending to pave the way for Natividad’s release on April 23, after a series of discussions with the facilitators and the military.

In the letter, Moreno said military forces stationed in North and Central Bukidnon will remain in their respective areas, and will refrain from conducting offensive operations that will jeopardize the release.

"Sabi ko, let me just come up with a document that would come up with our aspirations. You will not be signatories—NDF (National Democratic Front) and military—but this is a summary of what we think…would pave the way for the safe release and handover of Natividad," said Moreno.

Bishop Felixberto Calang, one of the facilitators who also acted as an independent observer during the 4th round of peace talks in The Netherlands last April 1, said the release of captives has been discussed.

"Isa ito sa mga pinag-uusapan during that time when I was there also nagkaroon ng kasunduan na ang GRP (government) panel, tutulong sila sa immediate release," he said.

Natividad said that he is thankful for his release, and is still willing to resume his duties as a policeman.

He was turned over to Mayor Omaradji Pizarro of Kalilangan town, who will escort him home.

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