Alleged NPA rebels seize Army soldier in North Cotabato
KIDAPAWAN CITY—Suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels seized an Army soldier at a roadblock they set up in Makilala, North Cotabato on Thursday, the police said.
Chief Insp. Elias Colonia, Makilala police chief, said Private First Class Edgardo Hilaga, Jr. a resident of Barangay (village) Kisante, also in Makilala, and a member of the 7th Infantry Battalion based in Mlang town, was on a Honda XRM motorcycle when seized at an NPA roadblock in Sitio Balawan in Barangay Malasila.
Colonia said the rebels also flagged down other vehicles passing the highway.
One commuter, Richard Bitalas, an employee of Dole Stanfilco, claimed the rebels confiscated his two-way radio as well.
Lt. Col. Harold Argamosa, commander of the 39th IB, said an operation was immediately launched against the rebels, who were believed to be members of the NPA’s Guerilla Front 72—which operates in the boundaries of North Cotabato, Davao del Sur, South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat. RAM
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