Soldiers in pursuit as rebels abduct five soldiers anew in Paquibato District

Camp Manuel Yan, Mawab, Compostela Valley, June 18 (PIA) The military has launched a pursuit operation against a group of rebels who held five soldiers in a roadblock at Sitio Lubas, Barangay Paquibato Proper, 4:30 pm Monday

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Captain  Raul Villegas, public affairs officer of the 10th Infantry Division said their primary concern now is the safety of the six soldiers who were held at gunpoint after they failed to notice the roadblock set up by the rebels who were clad in military uniform.

He identified the captives as Corporal Emmanuel Quezon, Privates First Class Ronald Gura, Bernie Padilla, and Donato Estandia and Private Marteniano Pasiagas, Jr., all members of the 60th Infantry Battalion.

Villegas said the members of the peace and development team in civilian attire were going to the market to buy food supplies for their scheduled feeding program when they were held by the rebels who were manning the roadblock.

He  said only 1Lt. Canitan, the officer of the group eluded captivity after he jumped off the motorcycle and threw himself in a ravine, when he noticed the unusual behaviour of the armed group manning the barricade.

“It is very unfortunate that the rebels dressed in military camouflage uniform and acted like they were military personnel to deceive commuters,” Villegas said. (PIA XI-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)