By BEN SERRANO Correspondent SURIGAO City--The New People’s Army (NPA) over the weekend claimed it also has its own list of drug dealers and protectors in Caraga that includes police officers and soldiers. It accused at least one of the police officers whom rebels held captive and then released over the weekend as a protector of illegal drug operations in Surigao del Norte. In a statement, the NPA identified the alleged protector of drug syndicates as PO2 Caleb Sinaca of the Malimono town police in Surigao del Norte. The statement, signed by an NPA spokesperson, Ka Malaya, also alleged that Sinaca was a protector of illegal loggers and that, supposedly, he was into extortion activities against small-scale miners and was known for abuses against civilians. Sinaca was among the men NPA rebels seized and took as captives in July. PO2 Sinaca was freed by the NPA in Sitio Brazil, Barangay Mat-i, Surigao City on Saturday along with PO3 Jayroll Bagayas and civilian Rodrigo Angob of the Malimono police, and SPO3 Santiago Lamanilao of the Surigao City Police Office. NPA leaders told a news conference during the release of the captives that at least five members of the Malimono police alone were their targets because of alleged illegal activities. Malaya said the National Democratic Front (NDF) investigated the “prisoners of war” and the results would be shown to those who facilitated the officers’ release and to National Police Director General Ronald dela Rosa “in the hope that it will assist them in their own investigations.” NPA leaders identified only as Ka Edroy, Ka Lucas and Ka Jared said that while they support President Duterte’s war on illegal drugs because the problem has become widespread and poses a threat to the country, they cannot approve of “unnecessary killings.” “We believe good investigation, a well-planned anti-illegal drugs campaign with the full support of the five pillars of justice system, comprehensive prevention and drug rehabilitation program are vital for a sustainable war against illegal drugs,” the NPA said. They said the National Police should launch a no-nonsense investigation into the alleged drug connections of its own members.