NPA rebels free 4 jail guards in Cotabato after 3 months

Four personnel of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) were released by their abductors in Cotabato province on Saturday, ending their almost three-month captivity. Philippine National Police spokesman Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr said the four jail guards were freed by suspected members of the New People's Army at Barangay Balite in Magpet town. The four freed hostages were Jail Inspectors Murphy Todyog and Erico Llamansares, SJO2 Rogelio Begontes, and JO1 Rolando Bajoyo Jr. After being released, the four were brought to the Bishop's Palace at Balindog in Kidapawan City at about 5:15 p.m. of the same day. Welcoming the jail personnel at the Bishop's Palace were Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza, Vice Gov. Gregorio Ipong, and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology director Rosendo Dial. The four were abducted last July 21 at Sitio Rawari in Kitaotao town in Bukidnon province at around 3:30 a.m. Police said the jail officials were transferring eight inmates to the Davao Penal Colony from the Ozamis City Jail when some 200 insurgents blocked their path and snatched them. — TJD, GMA News