NPA frees 1 civilian, still holds 5 barangay candidates in Agusan Sur

From GMA News (Oct 26): NPA frees 1 civilian, still holds 5 barangay candidates in Agusan Sur

The New People's Army guerrillas released one of their hostages in Loreto town, Agusan del Sur on Friday morning, a day after they abducted six people, five of whom are candidates for the barangay elections on October 28.

Loreto Mayor Dario Otaza told GMA News Online in a phone interview on Saturday morning the freed civilian relayed the demands of the NPA for the release of the remaining captives.

Tonie Subla, the freed captive, said the NPA demands pullout of all government soldiers in the town and the disarming of Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU).

But Mayor Otaza said, “Hindi tayo papayag sa demands dahil tayo ang gobyerno.”

Also, he said the municipal government has already sent three datus (indigenous leaders) to negotiate for the peaceful surrender of the rebels, adding that the three emissaries are expected to be back on Sunday morning.

Still in the hands of the rebels are Lito Andalaque, Balaba Andalaque, Reynaldo Piodos, Marvin Bantuasan, and Gina Bantuasan.

Meanwhile, 1st Lt. Peter Sarsagat of the 26th IB told GMA News Online in a separate phone interview the military will also not yield to the demands of the NPA.

Sarsagat said some 40 armed men engaged the military in a firefight on Thursday. The same group is suspected to have stormed Barangay Sabud and seized the 6 victims afterwards.
The military is currently conducting pursuit and rescue operations, he said.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/332618/news/regions/npa-frees-1-civilian-still-holds-5-barangay-candidates-in-agusan-sur