Suspected rebels execute soldier, militiaman on International Peace Day

(Updated 5:29 p.m.) Suspected communist rebels on Wednesday abducted and executed a soldier and a militiaman in Davao City while the military was observing a one-day truce with rebels to celebrate International Peace Day. Pfc. Ronel Mansiwagan, an assistant detachment commander, and Ortega Carian, a member of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit, were on their way back to detachment after attending a wedding in Panabo City in Davao del Norte when they were captured by New People’s Army (NPA) rebels. The remains of the two were found Wednesday night at Purok 5 at Barangay Upper Mapula, according to Col. Leopoldo Galon, spokesman of the Armed Forces Eastern Mindanao Command. He said the identities of the victims were verified Thursday morning. Galon said the two were assigned at Sitio Damilag in Barangay Mapula at the Paquibato District in Davao City. The killing happened while the military was observing a Suspension of Offensive Military Operation (SOMO) against the NPA in observance of the UN declaration of the peace day — a move that was not reciprocated by the NPA. Armed Forces chief Gen. Eduardo Oban on Sunday issued to major service commanders and unified area commanders the operational guidance on the truce. The truce is a “demonstration of AFP's commitment, sincerity and support to the primacy of the peace process as embodied in the Internal Peace and Security Plan Bayanihan," said Armed Forces spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. The Bayanihan is the military's campaign plan against “internal security threats," including the communist insurgents. Sorsogon clash Meanwhile, an Army soldier was killed and six others were wounded in a clash with suspected insurgents in Bulan town in Sorsogon province on Thursday. Major Angelo Guzman, spokesman for the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said the operating troops were attacked around 9 a.m. in Cadandanan village. The fatality was identified as of Pfc. Julius Rodriguez and those wounded were Cpl. Gerald Go and PFCs. Ronald Cellorico, Mcsil Basbas, Edwin Padi, Rodolfo Fortunado, and Jervie Micarandayo. — Mark D. Merueñas/KBK/RSJ, GMA News