From the Manila Bulletin (Nov 23): Freedom after a month in captivity
After being held hostage for one month somewhere in the mountainous boundary of Agusan del Sur and Compostela Valley (ComVal), the kidnapped barangay (village) officials finally gained their freedom after they were released Friday evening at the Bega area of Laak in ComVal.
The released officials were identified as village chieftain Lito I. Andalique, and village councilmen Balaba I. Andalique, Marvin S. Bantuasan, and Crisanto M. Piodos, and Civilian Volunteer Organization (CVO) member Pepe Subla, all of Barangay Sabud in Loreto town, Agusan del Sur.
These village officials were abducted last October 24 by alleged members of the guerrilla-Front Committee 34 of the CPP-NPA Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC) – just five days before the conduct of the Barangay Elections.
One of the abducted officials, identified as Maria Gina V. Bantuasan, was released on the same day of abduction, said Loreto Mayor Dario E. Otaza.
Otaza said the victims were released to the members of the Provincial and Municipal Crisis Management Committee at 6 p.m. at the Bega area.
He also said that the victims were released without any ransom.
“Thank God that they were released without any untoward incident,” said Otaza.
On Saturday morning, the released hostages were reunited with their respective families at the residence of Otaza.
They will be placed under medical checkup, and on Monday, they will be sworn into office as winners in the recent October 28 Barangay Elections in their area, added Otaza.
It can be recalled that the freed officials were abducted when some 40 heavily armed NPA’s swooped down on a newly established satellite peace and development team patrol base of the Army’s 26th Infantry Battalion while the troops were conducting emersion in a remote village in Loreto town. A soldier, identified as Pfc. Joe-Gil Cabillo of that same unit, was wounded during the attack.
http://www.mb.com.ph/freedom-after-a-month-in-captivity/
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