NPAs seize village chief, 5 others in Agusan Sur

BUTUAN CITY, Philippines – New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas seized a village chief, four councilmen and a civilian volunteer in Loreto, Agusan del Sur on Thursday, authorities said.

In a report to the regional police headquarters, the Loreto police identified the kidnap victims as Barangay Sabud chairman Lito Andalique, council members Balaba Andalique, Marvin Bantuasan, Crisanto Piodos, and Maria Gina Bantuasan, and civilian volunteer Pepe Subla.

Barangay Sabud is about 60 kilometers away from the town proper of Loreto, which is situated along the Agusan River. 

Initial investigation showed that prior to the kidnapping, about 50 rebels belonging to the Guerrilla Front 34 of the NPA’s Southern Mindanao Regional Committee waylaid 12 soldiers belonging to the 26th Infantry Brigade of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division headed by Cpl. Edmar Jumawan who were conducting peace and development activities in the area.

The ambush triggered a 30-minute firefight that left one soldier, identified as Pfc. Joe-Gil Cabillo, wounded. 

Two hours later, the insurgents kidnapped Andalique and his four council members.

26th IB commanding officer Gregory Tolentino said the rebels brought Andalique’s group to adjoining Compostela Valley.

The Loreto municipal government has created a crisis committee to deal with the kidnapping case.