Monday, August 30, 2004 Soldiers recover abducted tribe leader, wife By Ben O. Tesiorna
DAVAO CITY -- A tribal leader and his wife were rescued from their communist guerilla captors Wednesday by government troops belonging to the Task Force Davao.
Army Col. Eduardo del Rosario, Task Force Davao chief, identified the rescued lumads (tribes people) as Datu Rogelio Manambay and wife Indocayan.
Del Rosario said joint forces of the 9th Special Forces Battalion and the 73rd Infantry Batallion, who were conducting tactical operations in Paquibato district, chanced upon the couple around 1:30 p.m. Sunday in Sitio Manipis.
Their abductors had apparently abandoned them.
Del Rosario said the two, whose hands and feet were tied, were abandoned not far from where they were abducted.
"The two are still with the troops and are undergoing debriefing," del Rosario said.
The Manambay couple were abducted together with Datu Manuel Butig by the NPA's Pulang Bagani Command led by Leoncio Pitao alias Commander Parago last August 22 at Sitio Manipis.
Butig was released a day after, but the two were held by Parago's group as hostages.
Del Rosario said Parago's group, numbering to around 60 to 70, withdrew from the area when operatives from 9th SF Battalion and 73rd IB started to get close.
"There was no exchange of fire because they have withdrawn, leaving the two behind. The soldiers found them tied both hands and feet," del Rosario said.
Del Rosario ordered for massive tactical operations in the area.
Del Rosario said Parago's motive was no other than to get back the support of the lumads (tribesmen) living in the area by allegedly terrorizing their leaders.
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