Without firing shot, rebels capture 2 soldiers

TAGUM CITY—Communist guerrillas on Tuesday took captive two soldiers serving as guards of a Japanese banana plantation in New Corella town in Davao del Norte province without firing a shot, according to authorities.

The New People’s Army (NPA) members wore white overalls to appear like they were fumigation workers entering the compound of Sumitomo Fruits Philippines (Sumifru) around 4 a.m., according to Chief Insp. Levitico Estay, spokesperson of the Davao del Norte police.

Once inside, they combed the plantation for soldiers, Estay said. They stripped one civilian guard, Darwin Sajulga, of his shotgun and handheld radio set.

Some proceeded to the plantation’s airstrip, where a bunkhouse for members of the Army’s 60th Infantry Battalion is located.

Estay, in a text message, said the guerrillas held two soldiers at gunpoint—Cpl. Benjamin Samano and Pfc. Mark Ricart—and took their firearms.

The NPA rebels commandeered an Isuzu Elf truck owned by Sumifru and fled to a hinterland village of Asuncion town with their captives, according to Estay.

“They shouted, ‘Mabuhay ang NPA (Long live the NPA)!’ before escaping,” the police official said.

First Lt. Vergel Lacambra, public information officer of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division, said the raid took just about five minutes and was believed to have been carried out by the NPA Front 33.

“We condemn this latest criminal act by the NPA,” Lacambra said.

“Our troops are now conducting pursuit operations to locate and rescue the soldiers,” Lacambra told the Inquirer on the mobile phone. Frinston L. Lim, Inquirer Mindanao