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2 Army soldiers abducted by NPA rebels - official


(Updated 4:50 p.m.) Three people, including two Army soldiers, were abducted by suspected communist rebels in Cotabato Thursday afternoon, a regional military spokesperson said Friday. Citing field reports, Col. Prudencio Asto of the Philippine Army's 6th Infantry Division said the two soldiers were from the 57th Infantry Battalion. They were identified as Cpl. Delfin Sarocam and Pfc. Jayson Valenzuela. Asto said a former village official, later identified as Eliory Lastimosa, was seized along with the two soldiers. The incident occurred about 2 p.m. at Sitio Dalinding in Barangay Datu India in President Roxas town. At the time, Asto said the two soldiers were coordinating with local village officials in connection with the conduct of peace and development outreach programs in the area. Security forces have since conducted pursuit operations to rescue the victims. Meanwhile, the relatives of Lastimosa vowed to file criminal charges against the suspected NPA rebels belonging to the Herminio Alfonso Command Front 53. Lt. Manuel Gatus, chief of the civil military operations of the 57th IB, said the charges will include serious illegal detention and kidnapping. At the same time, Gatus said the Army is set to submit a report to the government panel talking peace with the National Democratic Front on the incident. — with Malu Cadelina Manar/RSJ, GMA News
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