Military suspects NPA in abduction of DENR contractors

From InterAksyon (Jun 1): Military suspects NPA in abduction of DENR contractors

The military on Sunday said the New People’s Army could be behind the abduction of six contractors of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Maco, Compostela Valley.

 “The NPA is a suspect in this one,” Captain Alberto Caber, spokesman of the Eastern Mindanao Command, said.

However, Maco Vice Mayor Voltaire Rimando, who heads the Crisis Management Committee overseeing efforts to get the victims back safely, said there is as yet no evidence to accuse the rebels.

“Actually, up to now we’ve no contact with either the victims or abductors. Let’s just say for now that the abductors were armed men,” Rimando said.

He said that even the driver of the vehicle rented by the victims, who was released by the abductors, could not say who the kidnappers were.

No one has claimed responsibility for the abduction, although various armed groups are known to operate in the area, including communist guerrillas and private security personnel who work for illegal loggers and miners.

Earlier, provincial police director Senior Supt. Camilo Cascolan said Kendrick Wong, Nico Lasaca, Chris Favila, Matthew Chua, Jonas Loredo, and Tim Sabino, all from Manila, were conducting a survey for the DENR’s National Greening Program when they were seized Friday in Barangay New Leyte.

“We appeal to those who seized them (victims) to release safe and without condition,” Rmiando said as he promised the victims’ families and media of prompt updates as soon as they make contact.

However, Caber, explaining why the rebels were most likely to have abducted the contractors, said, “kasi nagpalipad sila (victims) ng drone.
Malamang, ang assessment namin napagdududahan ngayon itong mga taga-DENR ng NPA na mga military sila kasi nga du’n sa drone. Makikita kasi sila (NPA), ‘yung location nila (because they flew a drone. In our assessment, the NPA would most likely suspect the DENR contractors of being with the military because of the drone. Their location would be identified),” Caber said.

He said a barangay councilman informed the military that the abductors rode motorcycles to where the surveyors and held them at gunpoint.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/88078/military-suspects-npa-in-abduction-of-denr-contractors