Pfc. Ronnie Trinidad. Photo by Keith Bacongco

Written by Keith Bacongco & Bong Garcia / Correspondents

Compostela Valley—The New Peoples’ Army (NPA) on Monday released Pfc. Ronnie Trinidad of the 66th Infantry Battalion, citing “humanitarian grounds,” in barangay Ngan here.

Trinidad was onboard a public-utility vehicle when he was taken by members of the NPA’s Front 25 and 5th Pulang Bagani Command while conducting a mobile checkpoint at sitio Bongloy, barangay Pagsabangan, New Bataan in this province on April 28.

Meanwhile, a military official said the NPA’s release of Trinidad must be credited to the Iglesia ni Kristo leaders in Tagum City, as well as to civilian authorities.

“There is no reason for anybody to be grateful to the NPA for the release of Pfc. Trinidad. His release is not an act of goodwill,” Maj. Gen. Reynaldo Mapagu, chief of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division, said.

“Being a criminal act, those who are behind the kidnapping must be held responsible under a legitimate justice system, and we shall continue vigorous military operations to pursue the criminals and bring them before the bar of justice,” Mapagu added.

He said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) was never involved, in any way, in the negotiations for Trinidad’s release.

Magpagu said relentless operation conducted by troops of Army’s 10th Infantry Division forced the NPA to release Trinidad.

Trinidad was with fellow soldier Cpl. Japhet Labid when they were flagged down by the NPA rebels. But Labid was able to elude the rebels.

In a statement read during a short program, the NPA’s Merardo Arce Command, the mother unit of the NPA’s custodial force, said it considered Trinidad as a prisoner of war (POW) and underwent investigation for his possible “culpability [in crimes] against the people.”

At about 2 p.m., Trinidad, who was clad in white long-sleeved shirts and khaki pants, emerged from the bushes along with his six NPA escorts and walked toward the local government and church representatives witnessing his release by the rebels.

Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte, Vice Mayor Dr. Daniel Lu, a medical doctor, immediately conducted a medical checkup on Trinidad.

“He is healthy, his blood pressure is normal at 100 over 70,” Lu told reporters.

But Trinidad admitted that he has been suffering gastroenteritis even before his capture. “I was on my way back to the camp from a doctor for a checkup on my stomach when I was arrested,” he said.

Trinidad also recounted that he has been suffering from stomach disorders while at the custody of the NPAs. But he thanked the NPA rebels for attending to his medical needs while being held captive.

“I’m grateful that they took care of me. I had sufficient food and enough rest while under their custody. Although we [have] different [views] in what we are fighting for, I also understand them,” the 23-year-old soldier from President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat province, said.

After his release, Trinidad said he would remain a soldier and continue to serve his unit. “I will remain a soldier despite my capture.” Trinidad has been into service for only more than two months.

Meanwhile, one of the NPA’s custodial force told the BusinessMirror that they only told Trinidad about his release this Monday morning.

“Upon learning about his release, he cried and thanked us. We also told him not to go back to the service and instead live a normal life back in his hometown.”

Trinidad recounted that it was his first time to see NPAs when he was captured.

“Maybe because it was my first time to see NPAs, I was not able to ran immediately. I was really scared but I did not run because I know that I did not do anything wrong,” he recalled.

Ka William, head of the NPA’s custodial force that held Trinidad, said, “His release is based on humanitarian grounds. We are also considering some of his personal problems.”

Trinidad disclosed that his father is currently confined at Davao Medical Center in Davao City after a road accident. “He received reports that I was killed here, so he tried to rush to Davao City. Unfortunately, he met an accident and is scheduled for surgery.”

Magpagu said Trinidad will be allowed to visit his father immediately after his debriefing Tuesday.

Trinidad has undergone thorough medical and psychological examination at Camp Panacan Station Hospital in Davao. He complained of dizzines and blacking out of vision for days, head trauma, acute gastritis, abdominal distention, tenderness and Murphy’s scars on wrist.##