Captain Raul Villegas, public affairs officer of the 10th ID, said that Corporal Emmanuel Quezon; Privates First Class Ronald Gura, Bernie Padilla and Donato Estandia; and Private Marteniano Pasiagas Jr. were allegedly taken by the New People’s Army (NPA) under Leoncio ‘Ka Parago’ Pitao on Monday afternoon in Sitio Lubas, Paquibato Proper village in Paquibato District.
By DAVAO TODAY
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The Philippine Army’s 10th Infantry Division said Tuesday that five soldiers under the 60th Infantry Battalion are currently held as captives by communist guerillas operating in this city’s hinterland.
Captain Raul Villegas, public affairs officer of the 10th ID, said that Corporal Emmanuel Quezon; Privates First Class Ronald Gura, Bernie Padilla and Donato Estandia; and Private Marteniano Pasiagas Jr. were allegedly taken by the New People’s Army (NPA) under Leoncio ‘Ka Parago’ Pitao on Monday afternoon in Sitio Lubas, Paquibato Proper village in Paquibato District.
Ka Parago is the commander of the NPA’s Pulang Bagani Battalion.
Coronel Leopoldo Galon, chief of the military’s 5th Civil Relations Group, said the soldiers were on their way to Mapula village onboard two motorcycles “when they were held at gunpoint” by the alleged NPAs who were dressed in military camouflage uniform.
The alleged NPAs have mounted a checkpoint.
The military said First Lieutenant Neven Canitan managed to escape by jumping off the motorcycle and threw himself in the ravine.
Villegas said the troops belong to the peace and development team who were on their way to the market to buy food supplies. He added they were in civilian clothes and were unarmed during the capture. He described the incident as “unfortunate.”
The NPA has yet to issue a statement. (davaotoday.com)
10th Infantry Division, davao, Liberation Movements, Mindanao, news, NPA, Philippine Army, philippines
