Rebels snatch 4 jail officers in Bukidnon

MANILA, Philippines - Some 200 suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) seized four personnel of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Bukidnon as they rescued an inmate before dawn yesterday.

Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr., spokesman of the Philippine National Police, said the rebels pulled off the attack as the BJMP personnel were transporting eight inmates from Ozamiz City to the Davao Penal Colony.

According to reports reaching Camp Crame, the guerrillas rescued a certain Dennis Rodenas who is facing charges of illegal possession of explosives, and freed the seven other inmates in the process.

Reports identified those seized as Inspectors Murphy Todyog and Erico Llamasarez, Senior Jail Officer 2 Rogelio Begontes, and Jail Officer 1 Rolando Bajuyo.

Cruz said the BJMP vehicle was cruising Barangay Rawari in Gitawtaw, Bukidnon at around 3:30 a.m. yesterday when the armed rebels blocked its path.

Local police and BJMP teams, with the help of the military, have launched pursuit operations against the rebels and the escapees.

Meanwhile, a soldier was killed while six others were wounded in an ambush staged by NPA guerrillas in Paranas, Samar Wednesday night.

Lt. Col. Niceforo Diaz, commander of the 8th Infantry Division’s Civil Military Operations Battalion, said the rebels used a landmine in attacking troops from the 34th Infantry Battalion at around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday in the vicinity of Barangay Concepcion in Paranas town.

Diaz said the troops were returning to their headquarters in San Jose de Buan after providing security during the groundbreaking of the Gandara-Matuguinao Road when they were attacked. – With Jaime Laude, Edith Regalado