Suspected military informant abducted in Agusan del Sur

MANILA, Philippines – Police operations continued for the possible rescue of a village councillor, who was allegedly abducted by suspected members of the New People’s Army in Agusan del Sur after he was accused of working as a military informant, police said Monday.

Superintendent Martin Gamba, Caraga police spokesman, identified the victim as Edgar Bantuasan, 40, who was abducted by armed men around 5 a.m. Sunday at Barangay (village) Sta. Teresa in Loreto, Agusan del Sur.

Police Officer 1 Dondere Go of Loreto police said prior to Bantuasan’s abduction, the roughly 20 armed men gathered male residents at the Sta. Teresa Elementary School.

“Pero nung nakita nila si Bantuasan, iniwan na nila yung iba at sya lang ang kinuha . . . Parang hinanap talaga sya,” Go said, noting that the group even threatened to abduct whoever will work as tipster, just like Bantuasan as they alleged.

Gamba said the rebels hogtied Bantuasan and forcibly took him to Sitio Cabuga on board a motorcycle.

“The lawless elements demanded for the withdrawal of PNP (Philippine National Police) and AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) troops in the area in exchange for the release of Kagawad Bantuasan,” Gamba said.

Loreto police together with the AFP, he said, are now conducting pursuit operations against the suspects and to rescue the victim,  adding that the Municipal Crisis Management Committee is being convened to handle the situation.