NPA releases 3 Rizal cops

MANILA, Philippines - The New People's Army (NPA) released on Friday three policemen captured during an attack in Rizal nearly three months ago. Radio dzBB's Benjie Liwanag said the communist rebels have released police Inspector Rex Cuntapay, PO1 Alberto Umali and PO1 Marvin Agasen to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which then turned over the police officers to their families. Present during the turnover were Rizal Governor Casimiro Ynares III and Senator Jamby Madrigal, chair of the Senate committee on Peace, Unification, and Reconciliation. The governor was the lead negotiator for the release of the hostages, whom the NPA consider as "prisoners of war." On Wednesday, Ynares said the NPA's Narciso Antazo Aramil Command agreed to release the policemen as a “good will and humanitarian gesture." He said that the negotiation went smoothly, with both parties objectively listening to issues and concerns. The three police officers were captured in an ambush at Rodriguez (formerly Montalban) town in Rizal last January 3. - Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV