Rebels abduct 1 soldier, 1 policeman in Compostela Valley

MANILA, Philippines–An off-duty soldier and a policeman were abducted by communist rebels in Compostela Valley Thursday, the military said.

Army spokesman Major Harold Cabunoc identified the captives as Private First Class Jezreel Culango of the Army’s 60th Infantry Battalion and PO1 Ruel Pasion.

The two were abducted after some 30 New People’s Army rebels posed as soldiers and set up a checkpoint in Sitio Mangob, in Imelda village, Laak town.

A team of soldiers and policemen were sent to pursue the bandits as a crisis management committee was formed by the local government after the incident, Cabunoc said.

The bandits fled towards Tugpahan village with the captives.

Both the government and the Communist Party of the Philippines ended a holiday truce on January 15.