NPA rebels seize, free militiaman in North Cotabato

KIDAPAWAN CITY – Communist rebels operating in the borders of North Cotabato and Davao del Sur abducted but later freed a militiaman stationed in Makilala, North Cotabato on Wednesday.

Chief Inspector Johnny Rick Medel, Makilala town police chief, said Antonio Toto Ramirez, a member of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) and resident of Barangay Luayon of Makilala town was abducted by 30 New People’s Army (NPA) rebels at 3 p.m. Wednesday.

Police said the attackers were under Commander Brix of Guerilla Front 53.

Ramirez was standing in front of his house and was unarmed when three men on board two motorbikes arrived and snatched him at gunpoint.

Medel said Ramirez was later released in a nearby village and arrived in his home at past 5 p.m.

It was not clear why Ramirez was kidnapped, Medel said. The police official said he was still waiting for Ramirez to issue a statement before police investigators as to why and how the incident happened.

North Cotabato police director Senior Supt. Maximo Layugan has ordered the local police across the province to raise the alert status as the NPA anniversary draws near.

Rebels usually “create noise,” by conducting abductions of state forces, attacks on checkpoints and detachments and others on the days leading to the founding anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines, which would be on its 50th year on December 26.