NPA frees 8 more ‘prisoners of war’ in Agusan del Sur

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — After freeing six militiamen, the New People’s Army (NPA) released eight other prisoners of war on Tuesday in the hinterlands of Agusan del Sur.

The six POWs — two soldiers and six other militiamen — were taken captive last December 19 when the communist rebels raided a military detachment in Barangay New Tubigon, Sibagat town, Agusan del Sur.

Sandara Amihan, spokesperson of the NPA Northeastern Mindanao region, said they turned over the captive soldiers and militiamen to former Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go and Presidential son Sebastian “Baste” Duterte in a remote village in Bayugan City on Tuesday afternoon.

The military earlier confirmed that Corporal Eric Manangan and PFC Darlino Carino, of the 3rd Special Forces Battalion, were held captives by the communist rebels.

Manangan and Carino were not part of the group that was freed by the NPA last February 14 in Barangay San Juan, Bayugan City. /ee