Military holds off action vs Agusan rebels

Manila, Philippines -  Government troops yesterday held off any action against New People’s Army (NPA) rebels who raided the other day a mining firm in Agusan del Sur and took three civilians hostage. 

Maj. Eugenio Julio Osias IV, spokesman of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division, said the military supports the ongoing negotiations by the local crisis management committee for the safe release of the hostages, although it continues to monitor the movements of the insurgents.

The rebels swooped down on the compound of VTO Mining Enterprise in Rosario, Agusan del Sur last Thursday morning, ransacked the place and took the three men hostage.

One of the three hostages, Christopher Ocite, son of the mining firm’s owner, contacted his family yesterday and confirmed that the rebels had taken him and the two others hostage.