NPA claims responsibility for Cotabato cop’s abduction

The New People's Army (NPA) on Friday revealed they were holding the abducted deputy chief of police of President Roxas, North Cotabato, Inspector Menardo Cui Sr., as their prisoner of war.

In a statement, the NPA's Southern Mindanao Regional Operations Command  (NPA-SMROC) said fighters under the Mt. Apo Sub-Regional Command "arrested" Cui last December 28, 2017.

The NPA-SMROC this week released a video of Cui saying he was being treated well.

"In adherency to the International Humanitarian Law, they will protect me, take care of me and treat me leniently," he said

In the video, Cui appealed to President Rodrigo Duterte to resume peace talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines and for the Armed Forces of the Philippines to suspend military operations to make way for his safe release.

"To our honorable President, Sir, I appeal for you to continue with the peace talks even only through backchannel for now. We have to continue the talks because we who are from Mindanao aspire nothing, dream of nothing but peace in our island," Cui said.

"To the AFP, I appeal to you, Sirs, if it is possible, to temporarily suspend the miltary operations, while I am still in the custody of the New People's Army," he added.

The NPA pointed out in their statement a "stark contrast" between Cui's situation and the reactionary armed forces’ treatment of political prisoners, which they described as "deplorable."

The NPA claimed that a 9-mm pistol was seized from Cui possession when the group "arrested" him.

The NPA said he was investigated for counterinsurgency activities and possible "crimes against the masses and the revolutionary movement."

"As a legitimate exercise of belligerent political authority on behalf of the People’s Democratic Government, the NPA is tasked to arrest, detain and investigate personnel of the reactionary armed forces who are actively engaged in the armed conflict," their statement said.

Earlier, President Roxas' chief of Police, Chief Inspector Andres Sumugat, reported that Cui was held at gunpoint at the HMB KTV Bar and Lodging House, located at the boundary of Barangays Tuael and Poblacion at about 8:30 p.m last December 28.

He was reportedly forced to ride a motorcycle with the suspects heading for the hinterlands of Magpet town.

'Illegal' arrests

The NPA cited in their statement the military's "unlawful" arrests of three farmers, namely Jarold Adiaton, Jean Solis and Datu Maylan Andas early morning last January 9 at Barangays Balite and Temporan in Magpet.

While allegedly interrogating them on Cui's whereabouts, the group claimed that personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) accused Adiaton and Solis of being NPA members.

"In desperation, the fascist AFP are falsely accusing Adiaton and Solis of being members of the NPA and interrogating them on the whereabouts of POW Cui," the statement said.

The NPA also accused the AFP of theft of the residents' possessions, physical assault, and planting expolosives during their search.

The NPA called on peace advocates and human rights defenders to join them in seeking the immediate release for the three farmers arrested in Magpet  and "all political prisoners" in the country.