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Friday, October 17, 2003
5 engineers abducted, freed after 6 hours
By Harley F. Palangchao
BAGUIO -- Suspected communist rebels abducted five engineers in Isabela province Wednesday morning, but released them after about six hours, the military reported Thursday.
Lt. Col. Preme Monta, information officer of the AFP North Luzon Command (Nolcom), named the leader of the abducted engineering group as Nicasio Tabago, while the identities of his four companions were still being determined by both the police and military.
Monta said the engineers were kidnapped in Casisiitan, Minanga, San Mariano, Isabela, where the New People's Army (NPA) rebels also held them.
He said the engineers were taken right after their visit to Mayor Jesus Miranda of Isabela to discuss the proposed construction of a new municipal district in Casisiitan.
"While heading toward the project site at around 11 a.m., they were seized by a group of NPA cadres under Lourdes Bulan aka Simang."
Monta quoted reports reaching Nolcom headquarters as saying the hostages were released at around 6:50 p.m. of the same day.
It was not immediately ascertained if the engineers paid a ransom in exchange for their release.
Nolcom said the incident was another form of harassment designed to stop any government project from being implemented in the area.
"It is also possible that these people who are in charge of the project construction are being forewarned about the so-called 'revolutionary tax' or extortion money exacted by the terrorists," Monta said.
The 9,000-strong NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), has been waging a 34-year Maoist rebellion against the government.
Government suspended peace talks with the rebels in June 2001 following the assassination of two legislators. Sun.Star Baguio
(October 17, 2003 issue)
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