Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Thursday did not discount the possibility that the two soldiers and 12 militiamen abducted by New People’s Army rebels in Agusan del Sur on Wednesday will be used by the communists as a “leverage” to force the government to resume the peace talks.
“Well, ‘yun ang gusto nilang gamitin diyan eh sa, gamitin nilang leverage ito. Nakita ko kanina sa dyaryo is they want to stop the operation of the military in their area,” Lorenzana said.
“But we will not stop. I think the soldiers and the CAFGU know that we are at war with these people. Kung ma-hostage sila, then that is part of job of these people,” he added.
Lorenzana reiterated that pursuit operations are ongoing to rescue the victims, among them Private First Class Darlino A Cariño and Corporal Eric B. Manangan.
Army 4th Infantry Division chief Major Gen. Ronald Villanueva said NPA rebels belonging to the Sub-Regional Sentro de Gravidad Westland under alias “Momoy” and Guerilla Front 30 under alias “Megan” raided the New Tubigon patrol base in Sibagat, Agusan del Sur.
He said the Army’s 3rd Special Forces Battalion is now pursuing the perpetrators. (Francis T. Wakefield)
