From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 18): NPAs abduct 5 unarmed soldiers in Davao City
Army units are now conducting tracking and pursuit operations against members of the New People's Army (NPA) who abducted five unarmed members of the peace and development team (PDT) of 60th Infantry Battalion in Sitio Lubas, Barangay Paquibato,Davao City
Capt. Raul Villegas, deputy spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division, the mother unit of the 60th Infantry Battalion, said the incident took place around 4:30 p.m.
He added that the PDT was composed of five troopers headed by 1st Lt. Neven Canitan.
He identified the abducted soldiers as Cpl. Emmanuel A. Quezon, Pfc. Ronald C. Gura, Pfc. Bernie L. Padilla, Pfc. Donato F. Estandia and Pvt. Marteniano B Pasiagas, Jr.,
Villegas said the troopers were on their way to a nearby market to procure some food supplies and were supposed to coordinate with a non-government organization for a feeding program.
He added that the troopers were unarmed and clad in civilian clothes when captured by the rebels who acted a members of military checkpoint.
"The NPA bandits dressed in military camouflage uniform and performed a barricade in the area and acted like they were military personnel to deceive commuters. However, Lt. Canitan noticed unusual demeanor. Following his instinct he immediately leaped from the motorcycle and threw himself in a ravine to escape," Villegas stated.
Pursuit and rescue operations are now ongoing.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=535428
Army units are now conducting tracking and pursuit operations against members of the New People's Army (NPA) who abducted five unarmed members of the peace and development team (PDT) of 60th Infantry Battalion in Sitio Lubas, Barangay Paquibato,
Capt. Raul Villegas, deputy spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division, the mother unit of the 60th Infantry Battalion, said the incident took place around 4:30 p.m.
He added that the PDT was composed of five troopers headed by 1st Lt. Neven Canitan.
He identified the abducted soldiers as Cpl. Emmanuel A. Quezon, Pfc. Ronald C. Gura, Pfc. Bernie L. Padilla, Pfc. Donato F. Estandia and Pvt. Marteniano B Pasiagas, Jr.,
Villegas said the troopers were on their way to a nearby market to procure some food supplies and were supposed to coordinate with a non-government organization for a feeding program.
He added that the troopers were unarmed and clad in civilian clothes when captured by the rebels who acted a members of military checkpoint.
"The NPA bandits dressed in military camouflage uniform and performed a barricade in the area and acted like they were military personnel to deceive commuters. However, Lt. Canitan noticed unusual demeanor. Following his instinct he immediately leaped from the motorcycle and threw himself in a ravine to escape," Villegas stated.
Pursuit and rescue operations are now ongoing.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=535428