Rebels, pose as soldiers, spring convicted comrade in Bukidnon

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines—Suspected New People’s Army rebels rescued a comrade and held hostage four jail personnel at a roadblock they put up in Quezon, Bukidnon, early  Thursday, the authorities said.

Supt. Clint Russel Taghiris, assistant director of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Northern Mindanao, said a convoy of BJMP vehicles from Ozamiz City was transporting eight convicted prisoners,  including NPA leader Dennis Rodenas, to Davao City, when it was stopped by rebels posing as soldiers at a roadblock around 3:30 a.m.

Taghiris told a local radio that Rodenas, who is considered a “high-value” prisoner, and the other prisoners were being transported to the Davao Penal Farm in Davao del Norte when the incident took place.

He said the 10 BJMP personnel, led by Insp. Erico Llamazares, who were escorting the prisoners, had no idea the men in military uniforms were actually rebels.

It was only after they pulled over that they realized they were not soldiers, Taghiris said.

He said that at gunpoint, the rebels took possession of Rodenas and also held hostage Llamazares, Cagayan de Oro BJMP officer Insp. Murphy Tujog, Jail Officer 2 Rogelio Beguntes and Jail officer 1 Roland Bajuyo.

The seized BJMP personnel were still being held as of 7:55 a.m. Thursday.

Taghiris said the suspected NPA rebels also seized four M-16 rifles, six 9-millimeter pistols, a .38-caliber revolver and six cellphones from the BJMP officers.

After the rebels rescued Rodenas they let the convoy proceed to the Davao Penal Farm with the seven unidentified prisoners, he said.

Supt. Dandilo Tumanda, Cagayan de Oro City police director for public safety, said it was surprising the BJMP convoy took the Bukidnon-Davao route when the official route allowed for transporting prisoners is the Butuan-Davao route.

“Perhaps, they are trying to cut on time,” Tumanda said.

Taghiris said they have sought the help of the military’s 4th Infantry Division.