Troops rescue two kidnapped CAFGUs

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 18): Troops rescue two kidnapped CAFGUs

Elements of 85th Infantry Battalion (IB) of the 2nd Infantry Division (ID) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) rescued on April 17 two members of the Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) Active Auxiliary (CAA) who were kidnapped by members of the New People’s Army (NPA) on April 16 at Balubad Village in this municipality.

CAA Zaldy Benoza, resident of Tinandog Village and CAA William Laude of Inalig Village of this municipality were kidnapped by four unidentified armed men with high-powered firearms believed to be members of SPN AMLAY, GU2, SQ-BP, STRPC.

Initial investigation disclosed that the duo went to their former Patrol Base at Balubad Village to get food supplies. However, they were held at gunpoint by their captors and were seen tied up inside their former Patrol Base.

The 2nd Infantry (Jungle Fighter) Division, headed by Major General Romeo G. Gan, condemned said acts of kidnapping for it has violated basic Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (IHL).

Immediately, the 2ID conducted pursuit operation on the said areas in order to monitor and track down NPA rebels.

Around 12:50 p.m. of April 17, troops of 85th Infantry Battalion, 2ID encountered more or less 15 NPA rebels with high-powered firearms at the boundary of Angeles Village and Balubad Village of the same municipality and successfully rescued CAA Benoza and CAA Laude from the hands of their captors.

Likewise, the troops recovered one US M14 rifle with one magazine, one landmine, six backpacks, and other subversive documents with high intelligence value.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=754134