Army POW freed in Saranggani, 2 soldiers hurt in NPA attack in North Cotabato

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 14): Army POW freed in Saranggani, 2 soldiers hurt in NPA attack in North Cotabato

The military's 27th Infantry Battalion today vowed it will continue its operation against communist guerillas who abducted, but later freed, a Army private in T'boli, South Cotabato.

Private First Class Ken Subere was released by the New Peoples Army to Davao City Rodrigo Duterte who fetch the soldier in Kiamba, Saranggani province Saturday.

Colonel Ronald Jess Alcudia, 27th IB commander, said Subere will be subjected to internal investigation by the military after he went on absence without official leave in early April this year.

Ka Efren, a local communist rebel spokesperson, said Subere was captured in T'boli after he was seen roaming near an area where the NPAs operate. He was placed as prisoner of war.

He said in a radio interview that Subere was subjected to the peoples' court but was found not guilty of any offense.

Alcudia said Subere was unarmed when he went to T'boli reportedly to visit a relative. He was not seen since then until the NPAs claimed they were in custody of one of his men.

Ka Efren told reporters Mayor Duterte negotiated for Subere's release and they agreed to hand over him to the mayor in Saranggani province.

Alcudia said the 27th IB will continue its operations in the mountains of T'boli and would even offer a government peace and development program.

The 27th IB based in Tupi, South Cotabato covers the towns of Polomolok, T'boli, Tampakan, Koronadal City, Banga, Surallah and Noralla and Koronadal City in South Cotabato and Columbio in Sultan Kudarat.

Meanwhile, two soldiers were wounded, one of them in critical condition, after New Peoples Army ambushed them in the hinterland village in Magpet, North Cotabato Friday.

Wounded were identified as Corporal Nuran Rajabuayan and Private First Class Wilfredo Ligsay, both elements of the Charlie Company under the Army’s 57th Infantry Battalion.

Capt. Manuel Gatus, speaking for the 57th Infantry Battalion, said the victims, on board two separate motorcycles, were on their way to the barracks when waylaid by gunmen believed to be members of the NPA, in Barangay Noa, Magpet, around 1030 a.m.

The victims have just finished a peace and development outreach program (PDOP), a special project of the Philippine Army that aims to win the ‘hearts’ and ‘minds’ of the communities, especially those influenced by the rebels.

Both were rushed to the Kidapawan Medical Specialist Center in Kidapawan City for treatment. Rajabuayan was hit on his right thigh and arms, while Ligsay on his back.

Ligsay remains at the hospital’s intensive care unit.

The Philippine Army in North Cotabato condemned the attack saying the victims were wearing civilian clothes.

“The fact that our troops were unarmed, it clearly showed they were not on combat mission," Gatus said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=772370