Governor: NPA rebels plan to kidnap another mayor in Surigao Sur

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur — After releasing Mayor Henry Dano of Lingig town and his two military escorts, the communist rebels hinted they will kidnap another Mayor in Caraga Region particularly from this province. This was revealed by Surigao del Sur Governor Johnny T. Pimentel in a speech before 69th Regional Development Council meeting here last Tuesday, claiming a New People's Army (NPA) Kumander told him of the plan. Pimentel quoted the NPA commander as telling him: "Magkita pa gihapon ta Governor kay naa pa mi kidnapon nga Mayor tulo hangtod sa upat ka bulan gikan karon (We will meet again Governor because we will kidnap another mayor between three to four months from now)." “I was surprised when the NPA rebels bluntly told me that way thus I immediately left the area after they released to me Mayor Dano and his two military escorts" Pimentel told the more than 100 local and national government line agencies' officials who attended the October 18 RDC meeting. Last October 9, Governor Pimentel, together with representative from religious and other sectors and wives, fetched the released Mayor Dano and two escorts Army Corporal Alrey Desamparado and Pfc. Alan Saban who were kidnapped last September 3 at mayor's residence in Lingig. — Ben Serrano/LBG, GMA News