Reds seize village chief

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines – Suspected New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas seized a barangay captain and 11 watchmen in Magpet, North Cotabato yesterday morning.

Michael Lingaro of Barangay Mahongcog and his companions were released on the same day by the rebels, who used them as human shields,  the military said.

The rebels reportedly took at least a dozen firearms from the village hall.

Lingaro is a staunch supporter of the police and military operations being conducted in the municipality and nearby towns against the rebels.

Reports said the rebels, around 20 of them, arrived in three vehicles and raided the village at around 9 a.m., the Magpet municipal police office said.

The guerrillas escaped in the same vehicles, taking with them Lingaro and the watchmen.

On the same day, a soldier was wounded in an attack by members of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in Saidona Mustapha, Maguindanao.

PFC Butch Albarico of the Army’s 40th Infantry Battalion suffered gunshot wounds in the body and was taken to a public hospital in nearby Shariff Aguak for treatment.