Push Admin

Military outraged over abduction of soldier in Bukidnon

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

Suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) raided a security agency in Valencia city, Bukidnon on Friday night, taking several firearms before seizing an off-duty soldier outside the security firm&#x27;s building, the military has said.According to the Army&#x27;s 4th Infantry Division, NPA rebels disguised as police officers entered Juanilla Subdivision in Barangay Poblacion, where the Dasia security agency was located.They stole several firearms and personal items, and left onboard two of the agency’s armored vehicles.The military said the rebels wearing police officers&#x27; uniforms also set up a checkpoint outside the security agency compound and flagged down all motorists driving through.A member of the Army’s 8th Infantry Battalion, who was off duty at the time, happened to pass through the area riding a motorcycle with his wife. Seeing the soldier&#x27;s identification card, the rebels dragged the soldier off his bike and into one of the armored vehicles, before fleeing the scene in a pick-up vehicle, a van and the two armored vehicles. The wife was left in a muddy area, although her status wasn&#x27;t clear based on the military statement.Major General Benjamin Madrigal Jr., commander of the 4th Infantry Division, called the incident &quot;another blatant display of insincerity of these NPA bandits.&quot;&quot;With the recent atrocity, everybody is now asking the same questions — can we really trust them?&quot; Madrigal said in a statement.&quot;We decry this (as) another dastardly act committed by the NPA. We promise everyone that there will be no let-up on our rescue operation to put pressure on the NPAs for them to immediately release our soldier and to put an end to the violence they committed in the area.&quot; The military did not divulge the captured soldier&#x27;s identity.During pursuit operations, the military arrested one suspected NPA informant.Recovered from his possession were subversive documents, a camouflage raincoat, a sniper veil, a pair of surveillance eyeglasses, medical kits, and a cellphone among others. The suspect is temporarily detained at Kalasag, Valencia City Police Station.

The commander of the 4th Infantry Division called the incident "another blatant display of insincerity of these NPA bandits."

The commander of the 4th Infantry Division called the incident "another blatant display of insincerity of these NPA bandits."