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Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Rebels blockade Surigao highway
By Chris V. Panganiban
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur -- Around 50 fully armed members of the New People's Army put up a blockade along the ascending portion of the national highway in Barangay Campbagang in Barobo, Surigao del Sur, stranding hundreds of vehicles and commuters for several hours Monday afternoon.
Among those stranded was Floriano Ravelo Jr., chief of police of San Francisco town in Agusan del Sur.
Ravelo said seven young rebels armed with M16 and M14 rifles were gong through the vehicles, explaining they were just setting up the blockade in pursuit of their mission but that they do not intend to hurt anyone. It wasn't clear what their mission was.
He said the rebels removed air from the tires of several vehicles so they would not be able to run anymore.
Ravelo said he explained to the young rebels that he and his family were on their way to the beach to celebrate their wedding anniversary, which is why they were allowed to go.
The police chief said he already knew that the rebels have put up the blockade on the highway because his son John Lou, who left ahead of them, sent them a text message informing them that armed men forced them to stop and disembark from their vehicles.
Ravelo said he was worried about his son and rushed to the area but hid all his identification cards and guns.
There he saw his son in the company of the rebels and with a little convincing, the rebels let him and his son go.
Ravelo said he was lucky the rebels did not recognize him.
He was inside his vehicle all the time, he said, even as he negotiated with the rebels to be let go.
In gratitude, Ravelo gave them a box of spaghetti.
Meanwhile, pupils of San Francisco Elementary School were dismissed from their classes at around 2:30 p.m., as soon as report about the blockade came, as the teachers feared for the children's safety.
Police and military forces were dispatched to guard the town hall, while a big team from the Regional Mobile Force of the Philippine National Police headed by Chief Inspector Bill Acapulco were posted in front of the Davao Central Warehouse at Barangay 5 in San Francisco, just around four kilometers from where the blockade was set up. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)
(July 25, 2006 issue)
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