Rebels seize, take captive soldier in Compostela Valley attack

TAGUM CITY—Communist guerrillas took a soldier captive after attacking a team of government troopers who were on a peace and development mission in Maco, Compostela Valley, on Wednesday, authorities said.

Senior Supt. Camilo Cascolan, Compostela Valley police chief, said the guerrillas harassed a team of the Army’s 71st Infantry Battalion (IB) in the village of Elizalde at around

7 a.m.

Shots were fired but no one was wounded, said Cascolan. The firefight, however, terrified residents, as it occurred in the village proper.

2 escape

Ric Ado, a resident of Elizalde, said residents saw three soldiers taken by guerrillas. Two of the soldiers, however, were able to escape as the guerrillas fled.

Lt. Vilma Mojado, information officer of the Army’s 1001st Infantry Brigade, identified the captive soldier as Pfc. Jesus Tomas.

Mojado said three unarmed soldiers were shot but not hit by guerrillas at the village market. People near the market shielded the soldiers as the guerrillas drew nearer, Mojado said. One soldier, however, was captured.

‘Act of frustration’

Lt. Col. Jerry Borja, 71st IB commander, condemned the attack, calling it “an act of frustration to stop the success of Maco in gaining peace and development.”

Borja also denounced the guerrillas for launching an attack in a populated area, which could have put civilians at risk.

Early on Tuesday, guerrillas on a motorcycle also struck in Mabini town in the middle of a power outage, firing a rifle grenade that tore through the second floor of the town’s police station, damaging windows and part of the building. Frinston L. Lim, Inquirer Mindanao