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Communist rebels release Filipino policeman

Intelligence officer had been held by New People's Army for four months on southern Mindano island
Communist rebels release Filipino policeman

Police officer Bristol B. Catalan Jr. signs documents after four months in rebel captivity. (Photo by Bhong del Rosario)

Published: December 05, 2017 07:39 AM GMT
Updated: December 05, 2017 07:58 AM GMT

Communist rebel group, the New People’s Army, released a police officer on Dec. 4 on the southern Philippines island of Mindanao after holding him hostage for four months.

Officer Bristol B. Catalan Jr. of the Makilala police in North Cotabato was handed over in the town of Magpet led by Kidapawan Diocese Vicar General Father Hipolito Pararch.

The officer's release comes two weeks after Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte terminated peace talks with the National Democratic Front (NDF), the political wing of the communist rebels.

Rebels grabbed Catalan, a police intelligence officer in early August a week after police arrested suspected rebel in southern Mindanao.

Fr. Pararch did not say anything about the fate of the arrested rebel or whether there had been an exchange of prisoners.

Catalan told reports he was treated well by his captors.

"I enjoyed my experience, we’ve been to exciting places," said the police officer.

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