NPA abduction, killing of unarmed military personnel show they are not interested in peace talks—EMC

NPA abduction, killing of unarmed military personnel show they are not interested in peace talks—EMC (Photo: Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP/Facebook)

MANILA—The New People’s Army (NPA) decision to abduct and kill soldiers, going about their unlawful business, demonstrate the former’s disregard for the ongoing peace talks.

These were the sentiments of Eastern Mindanao Command (EMC) head Lt. Gen. Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero after receiving reports that two troopers from the 39th Infantry Battalion were abducted Thursday and another three, from the 8th Infantry Battalion, who were earlier reported missing, were found riddled with bullets in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon Wednesday afternoon.These incidents took place shortly after the NPAs announced that they will be terminating their unilateral ceasefire, which took effect last August, effective 11:59 p.m. of Feb. 10.

The abduction incident took place in Purok 7, Barangay Telafas, Columbio, Sultan Kudarat morning of Feb. 2.

An estimated 10 rebels abducted two unarmed soldiers from the 39th Infantry Battalion who were aboard a motorcycle heading for Makilala, North Cotabato.

Guerrero said the whereabouts of the two are still unknown as of posting.

In the second, another NPA band abducted three unarmed personnel of 8th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Manalog, Malaybalay City who were on their way to obtain their subsistence allowance last Feb. 1.

At about 5 p.m. on the same day, the lifeless bodies of the three soldiers were found along the road at vicinity Sitio Kalib, Barangay Kibalabag, of the same city.

They were positively identified by the government security troops who responded to the scene.

With these developments, all EMC units are ordered to be on active defense mode.