NPA rebels seize inmate, 4 jail guards in Bukidnon

Suspected New People's Army rebels seized on Thursday four personnel of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and snatched an inmate in Bukidnon province, a spokesman for the Philippine National Police said. In a text message to reporters, Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. said some 200 insurgents blocked a BJMP vehicle carrying eight inmates at Sitio Rawari in Kitaotao town at around 3:30 a.m. At the time, the inmates were to be transferred to the Davao Penal Colony from the Ozamis City Jail. The abducted staff were identified as Inspector MurphyTodyog, Inspector Erico Llamasarez, Senior Jail Officer 2 Rogelio Begontes and Jail Officer 1 Rolando Bajuyo. Cruz identified the inmate as a certain Dennis. Authorities are determining whether Dennis is an NPA member. The incident is still under investigation as of posting time. Maj. Eugenio Julio Osias IV, spokesman of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division and commander of the 4th Civil Military Operation, said soldiers have been deployed to rescue the kidnapped personnel and bring to justice the attackers. — with Gracie Sodela/RSJ, GMA News