NPA frees 5 civilian hostages

MAGSAYSAY, Davao del Sur, Philippines—The Army announced on Saturday that five civilians taken hostage  by New People’s Army rebels fleeing pursuing soldiers have been released.

“The five civilian hostages, including Barangay San Miguel Councilor Enteng Bunal, were released on Friday,” said Major Jacob Obligado, spokesman of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division. “They are now safe.”

He said the NPA rebels, who were fleeing after attacking a paramilitary detachment in Barangay Bacungan on Thursday evening, seized the civilians and used them as human shields to deter pursuing troops.

Obligado said the rebels suffered four deaths in the ensuing clashes, including one who was later identified as Jay Capalla.

Obligado said two soldiers were killed in the pursuit operations.

Lieutenant Colonel Alex Bravo, commanding officer of the 27th Infantry Battalion, said the NPA rebels were now trying to disengage from the battle and were seeking refuge in the border between Sultan Kudarat and Davao del Sur.

Bravo said the Army was determined to pursue the rebels, especially since the area they were heading to had no civilian population.

“We expect another encounter as we are tracking them down. This is a mountainous area and no civilians would be trapped in the expected firefight,” Bravo said.

He said they were coordinating with the local governments of Columbio, Sultan Kudarat and Magsaysay town in case the clashes occur near civilian areas.

“We have asked them to assist civilians for possible evacuation,” Bravo said.

With a report from Germelina Lacorte, Inquirer Mindanao