Soldier escapes from communist captors

A SOLDIER kidnapped by the New People's Army (NPA) was found wounded in Sitio Quibaton, Barangay Dominga, Calinan, Davao City on Wednesday.

Senior Inspector Jack Leon Tilcag, chief of the Calinan Police Station, identified the victim as Army Private First Class (PFC) John Oliver Ayuman, 24, of the 10th SF Company of the 5th Battalion who is assigned in North Cotabato.

Tilcag said the victim was found around 6:30 a.m. with wounds on his left knee, right wrist, and nape. He is now at General Robillo Hospital and will be transferred to Panacan Hospital.

Based on the investigation conducted by the Calinan police, the victim was with his girlfriend in a boarding house in Barangay Dominga around 7:30 p.m. of August 7 when four unidentified armed men arrived and invited him.

According to Ayuman, the suspects believed that he was with the military. He refused the invitation and denied being a soldier.

The suspects handcuffed him, while his girlfriend ran and reported the incident to the police.

Ayuman said he managed to fight back with the rebels and ran, but the rebels shot him. Ayuman pretended that he was dead so the rebels left.

Ayuman said the rebels belong to the NPA's SOG Pulang Bagani Command 1 led by a certain Kumander Ryan.

The authorities are now conducting pursuit operation against the rebels.