Military cites abductions, ambushes

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Army questioned the sincerity of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) in the revived peace negotiations after rebels recently abducted a mayor, his two security escorts and four jail officers in Mindanao.

“The Philippine Army is in full support of President Aquino’s endeavor for peace with militant groups but doubts the local terrorist group’s sincerity with their continuing abduction of soldiers and government officials,” the Army spokesman, Colonel Antonio Parlade Jr., said in a statement.

New People’s Army (NPA) rebels abducted Mayor Henry Dano of Lingig, Surigao del Sur, and two of his security aides from the mayor’s home in Barangay (village) Sabangan on August 6.

A soldier was killed while six others were injured when responding government troops were waylaid in an ambush.

NPA rebels also took hostage four Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) officers when the rebels rescued an inmate while being transported in Bukidnon last July 21.

Parlade said the abductions also betrayed the inability of the CPP leadership to control its ground forces.

Parlade said they learned from the news that government chief negotiator Alexander Padilla and communist leader Fidel Agcaoili were holding a meeting in Magallanes, Makati, on the same day of the kidnappings.

“If they were really in command, why is it that on the one hand the leaders are arranging peace talks and on the other hand their subordinates are conducting kidnappings? It is evident that there are discrepancies here.” Parlade said.