NPA frees soldier

DAVAO CITY – After 20 days, the New People’s Army (NPA) released yesterday Pfc. Rodelio Rigonan, who was snatched by communist insurgents in Maco, Compostela Valley Province last Aug. 4.

The rebels turned Rigonan over to Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte following a simple ceremony in Maco.

Duterte brought the soldier to 10^th Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Ariel Bernardo at the Armed Forces Eastern Mindanao Command headquarters in Camp Panacan in this city.

Christopher Go, Duterte’s chief of staff, said the mayor fetched Rigonan at about 2:30 p.m. in Maco before flying him back to Davao City at around 3:30 p.m.

Rigonan was an electrician of the 1001st Infantry Brigade based in Maco. His wife said on the day he was snatched, he was responding to a neighbors’ request to check the electric post in Mansaka Village after power went off in the area.

Rigonan was initially reported missing the following day after the family learned that he was not at the camp.

Soldiers dispatched to investigate Rigonan’s disappearance found his tools near the post.

“Witnesses said Rigonan cautioned a group of men digging two holes on the ground near the post he was checking. The men took him after he learned that they were allegedly planning to bury explosives,” 1001st Infantry Brigade commander Angelito de Leon said.