NPA rebs freed abducted militiaman in exchange for food —military

From GMA News (Jul 24): NPA rebs freed abducted militiaman in exchange for food —military

Communist rebels have reportedly released a government militiaman they abducted in Surigao del Sur in exchange for food, a military spokesman said Tuesday, adding this shows "desperate move" on the part of the insurgents.

"They (rebels) demanded five kilos of pork meat, five kilos of assorted fish, sugar and coffee," Captain Al Anthony Pueblas of the Army's 402nd Brigade said.

Pueblas said the local government of Carmen town provided the rebels with their demand to secure the release of Eusebio Meniano.

He said Meniano, 43, is a farmer who is also a member of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (Cafgu) detailed at the military's San Roque Patrol Base in Barangay San Roque in Madrid town.

The victim is also a chieftain of the Manobo tribe in Carmen, Pueblas said.

"The local government provided what the rebels demanded to secure his (Meniano) safe release," Pueblas said.

Pueblas said Meniano was seized by New People's Army (NPA) rebels from his residence in Purok 4, barangay Hinapuyan in Carmen town at around 4 a.m. on Monday in front of his wife and children.

"Datu Meniano is a tribal leader and has been supporting the government's peace and development program in the area which is affected by the insurgency problem," Pueblas said on why the rebels abducted the victim.

Pueblas said pursuing government troops caught up with the rebels moments later. The clash resulted in the wounding of one militiaman who is now recuperating at a hospital in Tandag City.

Pueblas said local government officials later negotiated with the communists for the release of Meniano. He said Meniano was freed by the rebels at around 3 p.m. on Monday "after the NPA terrorists received a few kilos of meat, fish, sugar, and coffee."

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/661612/npa-rebs-freed-abducted-militiaman-in-exchange-for-food-military/story/