News Release
November 16, 2009

DAVAO CITY- Aglipayan Bishop and convenor of peace group Exodus for Justice and Peace Bishop Delfin Callao, Jr. hail the successful release of prisoner-of-war Corporal Dominador Alegre who was held captive by the New People’s Army for almost two weeks. The POW was turned over to Bishop Callao and Monkayo Vice Mayor Avelino Cabag.

“We, from the Exodus for Justice and Peace hail the successful and orderly release of Corporal Alegre today. We congratulate all the parties who have sought to peacefully resolve the POW crisis,” Bishop Callao said.

According to Callao, “Alegre’s release demonstrates the importance of dialogue, peace advocacy and the cooperation of concerned sectors in calling for a peaceful resolution on the issue of the Prisoners of War”.

Alegre was released at Sittio Logdeck,  Brgy. Prosperidad in Montevista yesterday by the 4th Pulang Bagani Command under the Merardo Arce Command of the New People's Army. Also present during the release were members of human rights group Karapatan, Bayan Muna spokesperson Ariel Casilao and other members of the religious community and local government officials.

“The government and the military should learn fast the need to address the issue of militarization and its impact on the communities of poor farmers, womenfolk and children,” he said.

Callao believes that the successful release of Alegre stresses the need for a deeper understanding on the root causes of armed conflict and addressing the ills the society attendant to these causes.

“The government must resume peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front (as well as the Moro Islamic Liberation Front),” he said. #

For Reference:

Bishop Delfin Callao

Convenor