6 local election candidates abducted by leftist rebels in Agusan

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - A group of leftist rebels abducted yesterday six candidates of the coming barangay elections in Agusan del Sur, hours after they attacked a military detachment in the area, local military said today.

Captain Alberto Caber, spokesman for the Philippine military's Eastern Mindanao Command, said the six victims, who all belong to the local Lumad tribe, were snatched by members of the New People' s Army (NPA) around 6 a.m. Thursday at Sabud village in Loreto town, Agusan del Sur.

According to Caber, about an hour before the abduction, a Philippine Army detachment in the same village was harassed by about 30 NPA rebels. During their withdrawal, the rebels abducted the six victims.

"They are still being held captive by the NPA kidnappers who are obviously trying to influence the barangay election," said Caber, adding that the six are not supportive of the rebels. It was also possible that the rebels used them as human shields, he said.

Caber said soldiers were promptly deployed to pursue the rebels after the abduction, and they engaged the rebels shortly after, resulting in the wounding of a soldier. At present, both the military and local officials are trying to take operations to secure the freedom of the victims.