Negotiations ongoing to free 6 NPA captives in ComVal

TAGUM CITY, Philippines—Police on Monday said alleged communist rebels have kidnapped six civilians in Monkayo, Compostela Valley and that negotiations were ongoing to secure their release.

Two of the alleged victims have already been freed hours after Friday’s abduction in Naboc village, but four others are still in the hands of the abductors, believed to be members of the New People’s Army, according to Superintendent Cydric Earl Tamayo, Monkayo town police chief.

At least 10 armed men blocked the Delica van carrying Lino Armada, 62; his wife Frescielita, and their companions Joel Lingaya, 30; Raymund Gumpan, 21; a certain Beninido, 43, and one Jason Arata, all of Poblacion, Monkayo, at the vicinity of Purok 8, Naboc past 1 p.m., Tamayo said.

“The couple is into falcata lumber buying and they were there to scout and canvas for available lumber,” Tamayo told the Philippine Daily Inquirer by mobile phone.

The gunmen ordered them out of the vehicle and brought them to the mountainous portion of the village for supposed negotiations, he said.

Armada’s wife Frescielita, who was released at 3 p.m. on Friday told police the armed men “demanded that the couple pay up the so-called revolutionary tax considering they are involved in logging business,” said Tamayo.

The police official said the suspects had ordered the trader’s wife not to give interviews and negotiation between the suspects and her family was in progress.

“No amount was mentioned [as to the alleged revolutionary tax],”Tamayo said, adding police are now conducting an investigation into the incident.

“We are on standby, waiting for further developments. We cannot move against the suspects yet as it might endanger the lives of the remaining four hostages.”

Tamayo, however, did not identify the other freed victim but police sources said Lino was among the four victims still being held by the kidnappers.