By FRANCIS WAKEFIELD
After ransacking a ranch, the Communist New People’s Army (NPA) Terrorists group abducted four civilians and two members of Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) who were working in a ranch Monday at Sitio Tumbaga, Barangay Nasalaan, San Francisco, Quezon.
According to Col. Elias Escarcha, commander of 201st Infantry Brigade in Quezon, the kidnapping took place at about 5 p.m. Monday.
Escarcha said four of the six abducted were plainly workers at the ranch, their only source of income in order to feed their families.
The four civilians were identified as Jurior Rada, Arnel Saladar, Dario Banqueles, and Bulodong Banqueles, all residents of said barangay.
Meanwhile, the two members of CAFGU who were also abducted were identified as Civilian Active Auxiliary (CAA) Jimmy dela Cruz and CAA Noel Mojar. They were working as security in the ranch while they were on off-duty status as CAFGUs.
The CAFGUs are components of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Ready Reserve units. They are composed of civilian volunteers who render defense and security service on their respective localities. They render 15 days of duty in the military patrol bases in the area and are authorized to work outside while on-or-off duty status to earn extra income.
After perpetrating the crime, the NPA withdrew toward the hinterland bringing along the six firearms of the guards at the ranch.
However, at about 7 p.m. the same day, the six abducted were later on freed by the terrorist group.
Escarcha said the workers were traumatized and now fear for their lives and for their families as well.
Maj. Gen. Rhoderick M Parayno, commander of 2nd Infantry Division, said the crime perpetrated by the NPAs were clear acts of terrorism and violation of human rights.
“The NPA terrorists are trying to project in the area that they are still a force to reckon with and that’s why they are hitting soft targets,” he said.