NPA rebels behead Lumad CAFGU in Surigao del Sur —military

A former rebel and a Manobo who is a member of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographic Unit (CAFGU) was beheaded by suspected New People's Army (NPA) rebels in Surigao del Sur, the military said Thursday.

Lieutenant Colonel Emmanuel Garcia, Armed Forces public affairs office chief, said the victim, Mar Acebedo Bocales, a father of three, was abducted as he was hunting for wild animals to feed his family.

Garcia said the victim, who was off-duty when abducted, was beheaded in the mountains of San Miguel, Surigao del Sur, on January 29. His body bore torture marks.

"This is yet again proof of the numerous atrocities of the NPA and of their barbarism that is comparable to the Abu Sayyaf and Daesh-inspired Maute terrorists who behead their helpless victims," Garcia said in a press statement.

He vowed that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will pursue the perpetrators until they are brought to justice.

"The AFP will continue to conduct focused military operations to secure our people and vulnerable communities against threats of rebels and terrorists," he said.

Garcia said the military also calls on the people to unite against terrorism and violent extremism, and to help the government in the pursuit of peace.

He also urged the NPA members to surrender to the government.  —Amita Legaspi/KBK, GMA News