Reds free 6 militiamen in Agusan Sur

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Six members of the Civilian Armed Auxiliaries kidnapped by New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Agusan del Norte last year were released on Thursday.

The Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) identified the militiamen as Jurian Gaviola,  Marson Iligan, Bienvinido Lamion, Eddie Tindoy,  Sanny Malobay and  Hermito Iligan.

Joaquin Jacinto, National Democratic Front spokesman for Mindanao, led the turnover of the captives to third party facilitators in Barangay San Juan, Sibagat.

The captives were later turned over to local government and military officials in Barangay Poblacion.

 Maj. Gen. Felimon Santos, Eastmincom commander, said the release of the captives was due to the pressure of relentless military operations.

The six militiamen were among 12 government troopers snatched while sleeping at a military detachment in Barangay New Tubigon also in Sibagat on Dec. 19. Two other militiamen were kidnapped in San Antonio, Doña Remedios Trinidad in Agusan del Norte on Dec. 22.

2 soldiers killed

In Bukidnon, two soldiers were killed while another was wounded in an NPA attack in Barangay Dalwangan, Malaybalay on Thursday night.

The identities of the slain soldiers were witheld pending notification of their family members.

The military said two M16 rifles, two landmines, ammunition and personal belongings were recovered at the scene.

Malin Mabini, spokesman for the NPA-Northern Central Mindanao Regional Command, claimed they took seven high-powered firearms from the soldiers.

Mabini said three of their combatants were also killed in the clash.  – Edith Regalado, Gerry Lee Gorit, Jaime Laude