MAWAB, Compostela Valley, June 19 (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 in Davao City 4:30 p.m. Monday.
Lt. Colonel Lyndon Paniza, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division said the soldiers were not engaged in combat operation when the incident happened.
He called the incident a violation of the Comprehensive Agreement for the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law.
Paniza said the soldiers were unarmed when the incident happened.
“It is sad that the rebels no longer respect the CAHRIHL which their leaders forged with the government on the proper behaviour on the field,” Paniza said.
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 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 peace and development team under the 60th Infantry Battalion.
Villegas said the perpetrators were believed to be under the Pulang Bagani Command 1 of the New People’s Army.
He said 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.
Villegas said only 1Lt. Neven Canitan, the officer of the group eluded captivity after he jumped off the motorcycle unto 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,” he said. (PIA XI-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)
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