In observance of the Holy Week, the Philippine News Agency’s online news service will be off on March 29, Good Friday, and March 30, Black Saturday. Normal operations will resume on March 31, Easter Sunday.

— The Editors

Army condemns abduction of 3 Samar peacebuilders

By Sarwell Meniano

May 29, 2020, 3:47 pm

<p><strong>ABDUCTION.</strong> The map of Motiong town in Samar province. The Philippine Army on Friday (May 29, 2020) condemned the New People’s Army (NPA) over the abduction of three former rebels turned “peacebuilders” in the town's upland community early Wednesday. <em>(Google map)</em></p>

ABDUCTION. The map of Motiong town in Samar province. The Philippine Army on Friday (May 29, 2020) condemned the New People’s Army (NPA) over the abduction of three former rebels turned “peacebuilders” in the town's upland community early Wednesday. (Google map)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Philippine Army has condemned the New People’s Army (NPA) over the abduction of three former rebels turned “peacebuilders” in an upland community in Motiong, Samar early Wednesday.

Lt. Col. Reynaldo Balido Jr., commander of the Army’s 87th Infantry Battalion said the abduction of a father and his two sons is a heinous crime and against the International Humanitarian Law.

"We vehemently condemn this barbaric act of the NPA terrorists. They have victimized non-combatants. They abducted people who are working for peace in the locality," said Balido in a statement issued on Friday.

The communist terrorists abducted Cosme Cabangunay and his sons Jevie and Jason around 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday in Canvais village in Motiong, Samar.

The trio are members of Motiong Peacebuilders, an organization of former rebels who joined the peace and development efforts of the government.

Citing accounts of village officials, the Philippine Army reported that about five bonnet-clad men armed with long firearms barged inside the victims’ house and forcibly took them.

Col. Camilo Ligayo, commander of the Army’s 801st Infantry Brigade demanded the unconditional and safe release of the victims.

"It is with deep regret that the NPA terrorists have once again showed their evil ways by oppressing the ordinary people who want to live in peace. We assure the relatives that our soldiers will do everything necessary to pursue the perpetrators and bring them to justice,” Ligayo said in a statement.

Ligayo challenged left-leaning organizations that claimed to be human rights advocates such as Karapatan and Katungod Sinirangan Bisayas to condemn the incident.

The NPA, which has been engaged in a five-decade armed struggle, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (PNA)

Comments