Army claims NPA holding civilians as 'human shields' in Compostela Valley

From InterAksyon (May 3): Army claims NPA holding civilians as 'human shields' in Compostela Valley

Cornered communist rebels in Compostela Valley province are allegedly using at least 39 civilians as “human shields” to prevent government forces from attacking them, the military claimed Saturday.

Lieutenant Colonel Michael Logico, commander of the Army’s 66th Infantry Battalion, said in a phone interview that the rebels had seized the civilians from Barangay Mahayahay in Maragusan town Saturday morning as they fled from pursuing government troops.

However, he said the rebels have been cornered in Sitio Tabon, Barangay Panamin in Mabini town.

“We were able to confirm the hostage-taking by the rebels this morning at around 10:17 o’clock through Mahayahay barangay captain Juanito Torcende and barangay councilor Alejandro Hoylar, who came to our detachment there and informed our soldiers about the situation,” Logico said.

“The rebels were warning us to stop our artillery fire against their position because they have 39 civilians with them,” he said. “For what? As human shields?”

At the same time, however, he said: “We’re verifying this information to make sure there would be no collateral damage.”

“Itong mga hostage-takers na ito ay hindi basta-basta makalusot doon dahil kahit saaang direksiyon sila balak tumakas meron tayong sundalong nakaabang (These hostage-takers cannot slip away easily because whichever direction they intend to escape we have soldiers waiting).”

Logico said as he urged the rebels to release their captives and surrender.

Logico said they have already coordinated with local officials to help negotiate the release of the civilians.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/85989/army-claims-npa-holding-civilians-as-human-shields-in-compostela-valley