Security forces search for 7 POWs held by NPA rebels

DAVAO CITY – Police and military forces continue the search for 5 policemen and two government militias being held captive by the communist rebel group New People’s Army in Davao City.

They were captrured after rebels launched a simultaneous raid on army station in Paquibato district last week and seized at least 20 assorted weapons, a rebel spokesman said.

Rigoberto Sanchez, of the New People’s Army, has declared the policemen – Chief Inspector Leonardo V. Tarungoy, PO3 Rosenie L. Cabuenas, PO3 Rudolph Y. Pacete, PO3 Abdul Azis A. Ali, and PO2 Neil C. Arellano - as prisoners of war.

He said the policemen were in their patrol vehicle when rebels from the 1st Pulang Bagani Command intercepted them.

“The POWs will be held in custody pending an investigation for possible war crimes and other crimes against the people and the revolutionary movement,” he said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

Their capture came after rebel forces swooped down an army post under the 72nd Infantry Battalion in the village of Salapawan in Paquibato district on Saturday and clashed with security personnel. Two militias surrendered to the rebels following a firefight that only lasted about 30 minutes. Two other militias managed to escape.

Sanchez said rebel forces seized 17 automatic rifles and three pistols and 30 magazines and munitions and other military hardware. “By sheer grit and superior command of the situation, the Red fighters were able to take control of the firefight that lasted less than half an hour,” he said.

He said the rebel offensive was launched despite the military’s deployment of troops to fighting the NPA forces in Paquibato district.

“The victorious tactical offensive comes at the heels of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ pompous declaration that (the anti-insurgency campaign) Oplan Bayanihan has weakened the armed resistance of the NPA following the death of beloved Red Commander Leoncio “Ka Parago” Pitao last year.”

“As Oplan Bayanihan nears its defeated end, this latest tactical offensive of the People’s Army servesas a nail in the coffin to one of the most atrocious operation plans the fascist AFP has ever unleashed against the Filipino people,” Sanchez said.

He said the 1st Pulang Bagani Battalion and all 10 NPA units in the (Davao) region have become even more inspired to wage armed struggle, agrarian revolution, establish the seeds of a socialist government and “squarely defeat the onslaught of heightened and sustained attacks by enemy troops.”

“While the entire ruling class presently squabbles in the current reactionary elections, the New People’s Army remains steadfast to wage war and address the lasting problems of the Filipino people,” Sanchez said.

Police and military have not release any statement on the capture of security personnel.