Rebels storm Agusan Army patrol base, seize 12 militiamen, 2 soldiers, firearms

Some 50 suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels stormed a military patrol base in Agusan del Sur on Wednesday, seized a cache of high-powered firearms and captured two soldiers and 12 militiamen, the police and military said.

The capture of the 14 government troopers is now the subject of “intense” pursuit operations, according to Maj. Gen. Ronald

Villanueva, commander of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division (ID) based in Cagayan de Oro City.

Based on the report of the regional director of the Police Regional Office 13, the rebels swooped down on the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit Active Auxiliary Patrol Base under the Army’s 3rd Special Forces in New Tubigon, Sibagat, Agusan del Sur, at around 3 a.m.

The report said the rebels overran the outpost and carted away some 17 M16 rifles, four M14, two M4 rifles, an M60 machinegun and a Harris handheld radio before fleeing with their captives.

A separate report from the 4th ID said the attackers belong to the NPA’s Sub-Regional Sentro de Gravidad Westland under Commander Momoy and Guerilla Front 30 under Commander Megan.

Elements of the 3rd Special Forces Battalion are pursuing the rebels, even as the battalion commander, Lt. Col. Rhoderick Parallag, said the rebels must observe the rights of their captives.

“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,” Parallag said.

“The abducted soldiers also have the right under IHL to have to [establish] contact with their [government troopers’] families or relatives,” he added.

Evangelista said they are investigating as to why the rebel assault was successfully carried out when the soldiers were supposed to be on highest alert level.

Both the military and the Philippine National Police have been consistently warning their troops to be wary of rebel attacks and be on alert with upcoming 50th anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) on December 26.

Ahead of the anniversary, the central committee of the CPP has ordered the New People’s Army to intensify its attacks against military targets.

The rebels were set to observe a cease-fire on Christmas and New Year’s Day.