Former Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go receives game-changing endorsement. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

AGUSAN DEL SUR — Former Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, along with the President’s son Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, facilitated the release of the remaining eight hostages by the communist New People’s Army (NPA) on Tuesday here.

Go and Duterte traveled to Agusan del Sur Tuesday morning to receive the freed hostages who were among the 12 Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) members and two soldiers abducted by the NPA.

They were seized by the Maoist rebels in the vicinity of Barangay New Tubigon, Sibagat, Agusan del Sur last December.

“These were the remaining hostages (of the NPA),” Go said yesterday. “But they were turned over to us. That’s why we are to go there as soon as possible.”

The NPA in Mindanao has been keeping friendly relations with the Dutertes. It often welcomed then Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte in its camps before he sought the presidency in 2016.

On 14 February, six of the kidnapped CAFGU members were released by the NPA through a third-party facilitator. They were turned over to the Army’s 401st Brigade, Fourth Infantry Division while leaving the eight whom Go and Duterte also asked to be released without conditions.

The released hostages are Pfc. Darlino Carino Jr. and Cpl. Eric Manangan of the Army’s 3rd Special Forces. With them are CAFGU members Jimuel Acebedo, Rolando Quiao and James, Gabriel and Janjan, all surnamed Iligan. It was not clear at press time whether the last three are siblings.

They were turned over to the 402nd Brigade of the Philippine Army based in Bancasi, Butuan City in the presence of Go and the young Duterte.

The four others who were released earlier were with them.

Go said talks with the NPA did not stop since December last year. A friend of the young Duterte sought their help as he is a relative of one of the hostages.

“We can’t say no that request. It was a plea by a friend,” said Go, who pulled out of the campaign trail in Luzon for this immediate undertaking, but as a private citizen.

“It helps to keep an open line to dialogue with the rebels,” he said. “I cannot bear seeing our countrymen dying, whether they are soldiers, policemen or rebels. We are Filipinos. War is painful to see.”

He appreciated the NPA’s release of the hostages, saying the rebels did not ask for anything from him. He said this act may bolster the possibility of another round of peace talks between the government and the Maoist group.

“This is goodwill on their (NPA rebels) part. Maybe the Left is willing to open new doors to peace. President Duterte is willing to talk to them, too,” he added.

Go has been consistently appealing to the NPA to take advantage of President Rodrigo Duterte’s offer of peace.

As part of his senatorial bid, he has prepared a legislative agenda that include localized peace talks, as he noted that the roots of the communist insurgency are oftentimes anchored on the unique situations in different areas of the country.

“I am in favor of localized peace talks,” he said.

In July 2018, Go also successfully facilitated the release from NPA hands of Insp. Menardo Cui Sr., deputy chief of police of President Roxas, North Cotabato.

His other legislative agenda include programs for improved health services, agriculture, anti-illegal drugs and criminality, housing, education, fire protection and prevention, anti-corruption, long-term sports development, creation of a Department of OFW, barangay welfare and improved benefits for senior citizens.