A SOLDIER and a militiaman who managed to escape from the hands of the New People’s Army (NPA) were presented to Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher “Bong” Go on Tuesday, August 21, in Davao City and were promised for a promotion and awards for their bravery.
The soldier was identified as Corporal Johannes Parreño, 29, who is assigned under the 28th Infantry Battalion (IB). He was abducted by the guerilla fighters on June 10 in Mati City, Davao Oriental together with Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (Cafgu) Active Auxiliaries Dindo Sagayno.
Parreño escaped from his abductors on August 17 around 5 p.m. in Barangay Lambog, Man-ay, Davao Oriental.
Parreño shared how he was able to escape from his abductors. It was brownout at that time and he had two custodians who were looking after him. He used his huge bag to make his abductors to think that he was still in the camp without knowing he was slowly crawling away from base.
He hid in a portion until morning since he knew that the NPA is afraid to get exposed.
He sought refuge from barangay officials of Barangay Lambog and was turned over to Lt. Col Jacob Thadeus Obligado, the Battalion Commander of 67th Infantry Battalion, at 67IB Tactical Command Post in Manay, Davao Oriental.
Sagayno, a former member of the NPA and now part of the armed forces, escaped from his captors after the operating units of 701st Infantry Brigade encountered the NPA unit holding him in Langgawisan1, Barangay Ompao Tarragona, Davao Oriental.
Since the attention of the rebels shifted to the soldiers, he grabbed the opportunity to escape and was, eventually, rescued by his Company Commander and fellow CAA.
Parreño and Sagayno were abducted while on their way back to their headquarters in Mati City after attending a school supplies giving activity in Taragona, Davao Oriental when the NPA Pulang Bagani Command (PBC) 8 conducted a hasty road blockade at Crossing Pising, Barangay Taguibo, Mati City, Davao Oriental.
After the debriefing and medical examination, both of them returned to their respective unit.
SAP Go gave them assistance and said that he will recommend to President Rodrigo Duterte to give them awards and promotion at the same time Lapu-Lapu award for escaping from the NPA without having to undergo certain negotiation.
He also thanked the NPA for treating them well while they were in their hands. Go likewise urged those who are still in the movement to come down and avail the government services designed for those who will surrender.