Rebels seize police, militiamen in Caraga

MANILA, Philippines – Nine security personnel were seized by the New People’s Army in the Caraga region on Sunday and Monday.

The personnel were seized in three separate incidents in Surigao del Sur and Agusan del Sur, according to police and military reports.

The most recent was on Monday, April 15, when 4 militiamen were seized by the NPA in San Luis, Agusan del Sur.

Rubio Asalan, Mario Libanda, Tuloy Libanda and Rejoy Francisco, were on their way to Barangay Binicalan in San Luis when they were caught at Barangay Mahayhay by a group of 30 fully-armed rebels led by a certain Almie Asalan.

On Sunday, April 14, 5 other personnel were seized in two separate incidents.

Around 40 rebels harassed the Greenfields Patrol Base near Barangay Santa Juana in Tagbina, Surigao del Sur, where they seized 3 personnel and a civilian at a Mass.

They were identified as Evangeline Cabodbod, Leonardo Sevellejo and Danny Sevellejo. The civilian, whose identity was not released, was released later.

One militiaman, Liyo Daguim, was wounded, said Capt Christian Uy of the 4th Infantry Division.

In the evening, two policemen were seized in Barangay Poblacion in Loreto, Agusan del Sur, while they were surveilling a suspect in a crime.

PO2 Ronald Munez and PO1 Nemuel Espana from the Loreto municipal police station were seized at past 11 pm that night, said Caraga police spokesperson Supt Martin Gamba.

The militiamen were all off-duty at the time they were caught, said Uy.

The rebels holding them are now subject of pursuit operations. – Rappler.com