New People’s Army (NPA) assured families of two abducted soldiers that the captives are now in “good hands.”
In a press statement, Lt. Col. Lennon Babilonia, 8th Infantry Battalion Commander, said PFC Marnel T. Cinches and PFC Jerrel H. Yorong—though unarmed and wearing civilian clothes— were reported kidnapped around 4:00 p.m this August 22.
They were abducted while on their way to barangay Bontongon in Impasugong town to assist people’s livelihood project in said village.
Cinches’ wife Lolibeth, in an interview, said that at 8:30 p.m. of the same day, she quickly heeded her husband’s request through “text message” to call his mobile phone.“
The voice who identified himself as NPA frontrunner assured me that the captives are alive and safe. I thanked God upon hearing it, but fear still surrounds me as I really don’t know how long will they be released by the captors,” she said.
Alan Juanito, spokesman of the NPA’s Julito Tiro Command, said in a statement the two are now under the NPA’s custodial unit and that they are taking care of them.
Meanwhile, Lt. Norman M. Tagros, 8thIB CMO, said the kidnapped soldiers are elements of 8thIB who are members of Peace and Development Team that provide assistance in conducting community-based initiatives identified by the locals themselves in tandem with the local government unit.
The military said they are now closely coordinating with religious groups, IP leaders, local government units (LGUs), media, and civil society organizations, among others, for the safety of rescue troops conducting operations and to help them gather information regarding the abduction.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.