Soldier, CAFGU escape from NPA captors

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — A soldier and a Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) active auxiliary escaped from their New People’s Army (NPA) captors, following intensified pursuit operations by government forces in Barangay Lambog, Man-ay, Davao Oriental over the weekend.

Cpl. Johannes Parreño, of the Philippine Army’s 28th Infantry Battalion (IB), together with CAFGU active auxiliary Dindo Sagayno, were kidnapped while returning to their headquarters in Mati City last June 10.

They had been giving out school supplies in Taragona, Davao Oriental when the NPA rebels conducted a hasty road blockade at Crossing Pising in Barangay Taguibo, also in Mati.

Lt. Col. Jacob Thadeus Obligado, 67th IB commander, said Parreño escaped while government troops were pursuing the kidnappers.

Parreño sought refuge with barangay officials who later turned him over to Obligado. 

Meanwhile, members of the 701st Brigade encountered the kidnappers at Langgawisan 1 in Barangay Ompao Tarragona, Davao Oriental, which provided an opportunity for Sagayno to also escape.

Obligado credited the escape and rescue of the kidnapped soldier and CAFGU active auxiliary to the support of the communities.

“With the support of the local government officials and the people of Davao Oriental, we have been tracking the kidnappers, which became the basis of the sustained and relentlessly focused military operations by 701st Brigade units to rescue our troops,” Obligado said.

“This is a (rare) feat, wherein NPA captives were able to escape without any negotiations (for their release),” Obligado said.