NPA rebels abduct 3 militiamen in Surigao del Sur

BUTUAN CITY -- The army reported the abduction of three members of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit Active Auxiliary (CAA) by the suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in San Miguel town in Surigao del Sur Saturday morning, July 8.

"We got the information from our patrol based in Barangay Bitaugan that three members of our CAA unit had been abducted by armed men at around 4 in the morning of July 8," said Captain Francisco Garello Jr,, Civil Military Operation (CMO) officer of the 36th Infantry Battalion (IB).

"We believe that members of the Guerilla Front 21 of the NPA carried out the abduction, initial information that we got from the ground suggest that around 27 of them abducted the unarmed CAA members from their respective houses," Garello added.

Garello identified the abducted militiamen as CAA Jerry Quillano, 40, resident of Purok 8, CAA Mama Abao, 24, and CAA Aljhun Miñano,19, both from Purok 6 all from Barangay Bitaugan.

"The NPA rebels first went to Purok 6 and took both Abao and Miñano, they then proceeded to the adjacent Purok 8 and took Quillano from their houses in front of terrified family members. Reports from residents also suggest that the NPA, who led the abduction were Joven Agustin, Alvin Maca and Alyas Arby," said Garello.

The 36th IB Commander Randolph Rojas condemned the action of the NPA calling the act nothing more than terrorism.

"The members of the CAA were unarmed and were abducted while inside their homes. We condemn such actions as it only shows their lack of compassion for the civilian populace and this is a clear act of terrorism. We are calling out to everyone to help our soldiers and police officers to hasten the justice needed by those who were abducted," said Rojas.

Information from the 36IB points out that while the abduction took place, soldiers were conduction military operation in several parts of Surigao del Sur to implement the Brigade’s response to what they perceived as a threat from the NPA as intelligence reports pointed out that the armed group will heightened it’s tactical offensive on both military and government installations.

Last May 17, the NPA abducted CAA Jerimeas Estrada in Purok Lansones, Barangay San Agustin Norte, Tandag City in the province of Surigao del Sur. The CAA was released 6-days later in at Palo Cinco, Barangay Buenavista of the same city.

The NPA has yet to issue a statement on the abduction.