Kidnapped PAF major still alive

FLORIDABLANCA, Pampanga — The Armed Forces Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) quoted Aetas living in the mountains near the Basa Air Base here as saying that an Air Force major kidnapped by communist rebels last Saturday is still alive.

"He was positively identified so we know he is alive," said Col. Preme Monta, Nolcom spokesman, of Maj. Neptune Eliquin, who was snatched while he was on his way, along with three companions, to his farm in Barangay Mawacat.

Monta said Aetas have reported to the Army’s 24th Infantry Battalion, headed by Col. Emil Hulipas, that they saw armed men leading Eliquin in a mountainous area here Tuesday morning.

Monta refused to say where Eliquin was last seen so as not to jeopardize the joint rescue operation of the 24th and 69th IBs and the Air Force Special Operations Wing.

He said Nolcom personnel have been told "to be careful and comply with well-coordinated instructions" in order not to compromise the rescue efforts.

Eliquin was seized by about 30 guerrillas of the New People’s Army’s Lino Blas and Palermo Ortañez commands in Sitio Uno Malinta, Barangay Mawacat at about 2:30 p.m. last Saturday. The rebels released his three companions.

Police said the rebels identified themselves as military personnel and members of the Civilian Auxiliary Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) when they flagged him down.

In a statement, the Philippine Air Force said the communist rebels "are becoming desperate in (their) waning influence over the local populace and have resorted to the abduction of an unarmed Air Force officer in order to prevent the pursuit of development projects."

Eliquin in presently involved in the Kalahi Para sa Kalayaan program of the national government which constructs farm-to-market roads, school buildings and water reservoirs in 36 barangays in Pampanga.