Army officer reported missing ‘is safe and alive’

ZAMBOANGA City—The Army intelligence officer earlier reported to have gone missing is safe and alive.

Major Ramon Torres, intelligence officer of the 102nd Brigade based in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay, was reported to have gone missing after the vehicle he and his men were riding was flagged down by several armed men believed to be New People’s Army rebels, along the highway of Barangay (village) Guinoman in Diplahan town on Saturday morning.

Lieutenant Colonel Randolph Cabangbang, spokesman of Western Mindanao Command, said Torres was not captured by the New Peoples’ Army.

“He escaped and evaded the armed group and was able to proceed to a detachment,” Cabangbang said.—Julie Alipala