NPAs seize soldier,kill 2

MANILA, Philippines - Suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels seized an Army soldier in Surigao del Norte on Sunday and killed two others in an ambush in Isabela yesterday.

Pvt. First Class Erwin Salan was taken while conducting community service in Barangay Budlingin in Alegria town with other members of the 30th Infantry Brigade (IB). At least 15 members of the NPA’s Sandatahan Yunit Pampropaganda–Lumad Front Committee 16 led by Florencio Llano reportedly took Salan. 

Lt. Col. Rico Amaro of the 30th IB appealed to the rebels to release Salan in support of the peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front.

“We fully commit ourselves to peace. We support the peace process. We have high hopes that the leadership of Guerrilla Front 16 also have this commitment for the benefit of every Surigaonon,” Amaro said.

Meanwhile, authorities did not identify the soldiers killed in an ambush in Barangay Benguet in Echague town pending notification of their respective family members.

Lt. Col. Vladimir Cagara, commander of the Army’s 86th IB, said the soldiers, who were wearing civilian clothes, were escorting villagers to pick up seedlings for a tree planting program when they were waylaid.?

A local radio station reported that they received a text message saying members of the NPA’s Benito Tesorio Command perpetrated the ambush.