Two government militiamen and a wife were abducted by members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Barangay Caras-an, Tago, Surigao del Sur around 7 p.m. on Oct. 14.
Capt. Francisco Garello Jr., the spokesperson of 36th Infantry Battalion, identified them as CAA Rudy E. Calipay and CAA Joy D. Sardovia who were rendering duty at Lindoy Patrol Base in Barangay Lindoy, Tago. Sardovia's wife, Angelica Gayo, was also abducted.
Garello said they were abducted in separate occasions in Barangay Caras-an by gunmen believed to be members of Platoon 8, Guerrilla Front 19 of Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee. However, they were released around 12 noon the next day.
According to Sardovia, the NPAs abducted him because he joined the Cafgu and was recruiting others to do so, as well. He also said the rebels threatened to kill him for the recruitment and for being vocal against the NPA.
Paragraph E, Sec. 6 of the Republic Act 9851, otherwise known as International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Act, states that “Imprisonment or Other severe deprivation of physical liberty in violation of fundamental rules of international law” are crimes against humanity.
Since 2017, Garello said NPAs already abducted a total of nine individuals within the 36IB area of operations to include Calipay, Sardovia and his wife.
He said they have abducted some politicians, IP leaders, even ordinary civilians.
In his statement, Lt. Col. Xerxes A. Trinidad, commanding officer of the 36th Infantry Battalion, said the abduction proved the nature of the CPP-NPA as an organization.
“The (NPAs) invoke human rights and present themselves as supposed bastion for the interest of the poor but ironically, they do not recognize due process and play double standards by conducting kangaroo justice,” Trinidad said.
Garello said they arrived at their residence around 3 p.m.
Trinidad said the government militia has been instrumental in maintaining peace and order in the community.
“The desire to serve the community for peace and development is but normal and could not be viewed as unsuitable, especially so from a terrorist organization known to have no regard to legally accepted principles of the land,” he said.
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