AFP begins probe on troops’ abduction by communist terrorists
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal,.Jr., has ordered an investigation following the abduction of two soldiers and 12 militiamen by an estimated 50 Communist New People's Army Terrorists (CNTs) during a daring raid of a patrol base in Agusan del Sur early Wednesday morning.
This developed as a Board of Inquiry (BOI) has also been formed to fast track the probe on the raid in Sibagat, Agusan Del Sur.
Madrigal said part of the probe is to determine how the CNTs managed to conduct the raid despite military units in the country being placed on heightened alert status.
Madrigal earlier said the Philippine Army, in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP), has stepped up its security to repel New People's Army (NPA) attacks on government installations.
This after CPP founding chairman Jose Maria Sison ordered the NPA to step up its tactical offensives against the government.
The government earlier rejected the proposal to reciprocate the annual declaration of truce of the NPA.
The CPP will mark its founding anniversary on December 26.
"We have informed our units to increase their awareness and to be proactive. We will be conducting investigation (but) up to this time we still have raw information," Madrigal said.
Madrigal, at the same time, said that the attack only proves that the CPPNPA could not be trusted even though they declared a unilateral ceasefire.
Meanwhile, AFP Public Affairs Chief Col. Noel Detoyato said a BOI has been formed to hasten the investigation on the incident.
"Pursuit operations are ongoing even as a Board of Inquiry was commissioned to ascertain the facts leading to the raid and abduction to determine who was remiss in his duty," Detoyato said.
Detoyato also said the Philippine Army, together with the PNP, will file appropriate charges as soon as details and facts are established by the BOI.
Army 4th Infantry Division (4th ID) Chief Major General Ronald Villanueva, earlier said NPA terrorists belonging to the Sub-Regional Sentro de Gravidad Westland under alias Momoy and Guerilla Front 30 under alias Megan raided the New Tubigon Patrol Base in Sibagat town, Agusan del Sur at around 3 a.m. of December 19, 2018.
Villanueva said an estimated 50 NPA terrorists abducted the two soldier cadres and 12 Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) members, during the raid and carted away a number of firearms.
The two soldiers taken as hostages were identified as Pfc. Darlino A. Cariño and Corporal Eric B. Manangan.
Among the firearms seized include 17 .56 M16 rifles, four 7.62mm M14 rifles, two 5.56mm R4 rifles, one 7.62mm M60 and a Harris Handheld radio.
He said the Army’s 3rd Special Forces Battalion is now pursuing the perpetrators.
Soldiers were also sent to the area to investigate the incident.
Available troops with two combat groups were also organized for pursuit operations and intelligence personnel were tasked to monitor the withdrawal route of the enemy.
Villanueva said that a probe will be conducted to determine why the NPAs were able to conduct the raid despite military forces under heightened alert status in view of the NPA attacks in various parts of the country.
"Yun ang iimbestigahan namin [That will be the focus of our investigation]," Parayno said. "We don't know why it happened so it will be part of our investigation."
Lt. Col. Rhoderick Parallag, Commanding Officer of 3rd Special Forces Battalion, said that the abducted soldiers are protected by the provisions of the International Humanitarian Law or IHL which requires the NPAs to inform their families of their capture, their status, and location.
The abducted soldiers also have the right under IHL to have to have contact with their families or relatives.
The NPAs did not inform yet the families of the victim’s status and location.
On Tuesday, Madrigal said that he has directed military units in the country to be on alert following recent attacks staged by the Communist New People's Army Terrorists Group (CNTG) against military and police detachments in the Bicol Region.
"I have directed our units to be on alert. Also, Army units are in close coordination with the PNP. We strengthened the coordination due to their (NPA) diversionary tactics," Madrigal said.
"What's important is we have proactive measures to prevent them from attacking," he added.
Madrigal, who visited on Tuesday wounded soldiers at the V. Luna Medical Center to give them cheers this Yuletide Season, said the NPA attacks could be part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) or a form of protest following Congress’ approval to extend martial law in Mindanao for one more year or up to December 31, 2019.
"Actually, it could be to show that they are still here as they celebrate their anniversary. We call their attacks as "nuisance harassment". They will fire one to two shots from afar, about 300 to 500 meters, then they will run. They do that just to say they were able to harass," he said.
"But what we are guarding is their diversionary operation or decisive attacks, that's what we need to guard against," he added. (With reports from Mike U. Crismundo and Armando B. Fenequito Jr.)