DAVAO CITY—The New People’s Army (NPA) has captured two police officers and seven militiamen in separate attacks in the Caraga region, according to rebel leaders.
Jorge Madlos, spokesperson of the National Democratic Front (NDF), said
PO1 Ronald Alan Munez and PO1 Lemuel Espina were captured by NPA forces in Loreto town in Agusan del Sur on Sunday.
Madlos said the two policemen are allegedly behind extortion activities in a village in Loreto.
On Monday, communist rebels raided a detachment in Hinatuan town in Surigao del Sur, bringing with them three militiamen as captives.
Madlos said four militiamen in a hinterland village in San Luis in Agusan del Sur were also captured on Monday.
Also on Monday, NPA rebels raided the packing plant of Dole Philippines in Bukidon province and a plantation in Claveria town in Misamis Oriental, burning heavy equipment.
Madlos said the captured government agents will be investigated for so-called crimes against the people.
“The main reason for this is to send a message to candidates that they must adhere to the policies of the revolutionary movement,” Madlos said in a phone interview.
“Candidates should secure a campaign permit before they can make sorties (in guerrilla territory),” he said.
Lt. Col. Lydon Paniza, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division of the Eastern Mindanao Command, said in a text message that the military has not received reports about the capture of the soldiers and militiamen.
In Palawan, guerrillas raided a pearl farm in Taytay town on Monday and briefly held hostage its employees.
Reports from police said six employees of the pearl farm in Cagdanao Island, Barangay Calauag, were held hostage by the communist rebels at noon.
Supt. Atanacio Macalan, spokesperson of the provincial police office, said aside from the six employees, the rebels also held hostage three security guards and three speedboat operators.
“The hostages were released unharmed,” Macalan said.
He said the rebels escaped from the island taking with them an undetermined number of firearms and communications equipment.
Taytay police and Marines are in pursuit of the guerrillas.
Police said they have not yet established how the guerrillas, members of NPA, entered the island but confirmed that the rebels left the island using the farm’s speedboat. Reports from Dennis Jay Santos, Inquirer Mindanao, and Redempto Anda, Inquirer Southern Luzon