NPA rebels seize soldier, militiaman in ComVal

Communist rebels on Saturday abducted two government troops in Compostela Valley, four days after they released four soldiers they held for more than two months. Capt. Emmanuel Garcia, spokesman of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division, identified the two as S/Sgt. Bienvinido Arguilles of the 25th Infantry Battalion and government militiaman Job Latiban of the 72nd Infantry Battalion. The two, who were both unarmed, were seized by New Peoples’ Army (NPA) rebels at a rebel checkpoint in Sitio Depot, Barangay Ulip in Compostela town at about 7:30 a.m. Saturday, according to Garcia, citing reports. Garcia said at least 20 to 30 civilians who also passed by the checkpoint were also seized by the rebels, stripped of their cell phones, and subsequently forced to attend a lecture where the insurgents explained why foreigners should not be allowed at the mining area at Mt. Diwalwal. “About 30 local terrorists put up a checkpoint and collared the duo who happened to pass by. The NPAs were also reported to have held commuters passing the road and took their cell phones at gunpoint," he said. He said the civilians were released after the two-hour lecture. “Those who experienced the ordeal said they were forced to attend a lecture of the NPAs telling them their interest in the Diwalwal mining area and outlined their threat against foreigners who will enter the place." He said the rebels involved in the abduction were those from the NPA Front Committee 20 under one Kumander Janggo Garcia said they have initial information as to where the two troops were brought by the rebels. “But we cannot divulge as of now, the rescue operation is ongoing," he quickly added. The incident took place four days after the insurgents released Cpls. Marcial Bawagan, Ariel Asumo, and Eduardo Alcala and government militiaman Victor Pitogo in the outskirts of Maco town, also in Compostela Valley. The four troops – all assigned with the 72nd Infantry Battalion - were snatched by the rebels last March 12 while attending the birthday party of Bawagan’s son. They were subsequently investigated for alleged “crimes against the people." - KBK, GMANews.TV