Rebels abduct soldier in Compostela Valley

DAVAO CITY — New People’s Army (NPA) rebels are holding captive Army Pfc. Marjun Gatela, of the 72nd Infantry Battalion based in Monkayo, Compostela Valley.

In a statement, the NPA admitted staging the ambush on Gatela’s group last Friday, which also killed three militiamen in Sitio Kidapang, Barangay San Isidro in Monkayo.

According to Lt. Col. Rolando Bautista of the 10th Infantry Division, based here in Davao City, Gatela belonged to the Army battalion in-charge of all Cafgu detachments in the region, although the area where he was operating in and was abducted was  the jurisdiction of the 28th Infantry Battalion.

Gatela was reportedly seized by the NPA rebels’ Front Committee 2 led by a certain Vicente Taoy, alias Commander Benal.

Of the three militiamen who were killed in the  Friday ambush, only a certain Rolando Dandan has been identified. The NPA rebels stressed that Gatela will  be tried for his alleged “crime against the people.”

Army Brig. Gen. Carlos Holganza, commander of the 1001st Infantry Brigade, said the military is now monitoring the movement of Gatela’s abductors.

Holganza stressed that  as far as the military is concerned, there will be no negotiation for Gatela’s release.