DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels seized a soldier in an attack yesterday morning in Maco, Compostela Valley.
According to the Army’s 10th Infantry Division, a three-man peace and development team of the 71st Infantry Battalion was fired upon by guerrillas in the vicinity of the Maco public market. The soldiers were reportedly unarmed.
Residents hid two of the three soldiers, but the rebels managed to grab Pfc. Jesus Tomas.
“This act of the NPA is clearly out of their frustration to stop the success of Maco in gaining peace and development,†said Lt. Col. Jerry Borja, 71st IB commander.