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DAVAO CITY, Philippines – A soldier was captured by members of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) in Maco, Compostela Valley on Wednesday morning, April 24.
Lt Col Jerry Borja, chief of the military’s 71st Infantry Battalion, said NPA guerillas attacked at least 3 soldiers in a market in Barangay Elizalde at around 6:45 in the morning.
Two soldiers were able to hide when the NPA rebels cordoned off the area while another soldier, identified as Pfc Jesus Tomas, was nabbed and taken captive by the group.
Borja condemned the incident but vowed that government soldiers would continue its peace efforts in the area.
The incident happened on the day the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) dismissed President Benigno Aquino III’s order to dismantle checkpoints set up by the NPA for campaigning local politicians.
In a statement, the CPP ordered the NPA to “enforce the prohibition against the bearing of firearms by election candidates and their escorts” in areas within the rebels’ jurisdiction.
Aquino ordered government forces to dismantle NPA roadblocks following the ambush on the convoy of Gingoog City Mayor Ruthie Guingona on April 20 that caused her injuries and killed her two civilian aides.
The NPA has apologized for the incident but blamed the mayor’s escorts for firing first at the rebels.
The CPP said Aquino’s orders to dismantle NPA checkpoints were an “empty bluster” which government troops are “incapable of enforcing.” – Rappler.com
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