India, Sept. 23 -- The Philippine Army's 302nd Infantry Brigade in Negros Oriental respects the court's decision to set free six youth activists who were incarcerated for seven years for alleged illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

"We always abide by the rule of law and we respect the decision of the court in the case of the Mabinay 6," Brig. Gen. Jason Jumawan, 302nd brigade commander, said in an interview with the Philippine News Agency on Tuesday.

Those freed were identified by the military as members of the communist New People's Army (NPA).

They were arrested in 2018 during an encounter with troops of the 62nd Infantry Battalion in Mabinay town.

Government troops recovered during the encounter high-powered firearms and...