Army confirms 2 soldiers held by NPA in Northern Samar

From InterAksyon (May 14): Army confirms 2 soldiers held by NPA in Northern Samar



803rd Infantry Brigade commander Col. Herminigildo Aquino confirms to journalists the capture of two soldiers by the New People's Army in Northern Samar. (photo by Eladio Perfecto, InterAksyon.com)

After days of silence, the military has finally confirmed that two soldiers have been captured and are being held by the New People’s Army in Northern Samar.

Colonel Herminigildo Aquino, commander of the Army’s 803rd Infantry Brigade, admitted the capture of the two soldiers, who he did not name, from the 34th Infantry Battalion based in Palapag town, some 58 kilometers from the provincial capital Catarman.

He made the admission during the “Joint Declaration of Peace and Development Ready Municipalities” at the residence of Governor Jose Ong.

However, an official of Palapag, who asked not to be named, gave the captured soldiers’ family names as Turla and Cisneros.

Reports said the soldiers were with the party of provincial board member Florencio Batula, who was heading to attend the fiesta in Barangay Silhagon in Mapanas town last week.

The convoy was flagged down by guerrillas of the NPA’s Rodante Urtal Command who seized the soldiers then retreated toward the hinterlands on the boundary of Mapanas and Palapag.

Aquino said government forces continue to track down the rebels holding the soldiers.

Ong called on the NPA to release the captives and said he is willing to help negotiate with the rebels for their freedom. The soldiers’ parents have also appealed to the rebels to release them.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/86808/army-confirms-2-soldiers-held-by-npa-in-northern-samar