Suspected NPA rebels abduct ComVal gov's police escort

Suspected New People's Army abducted a security escort of Compostela Valley Governor Arturo Uy late Sunday afternoon, a regional police official said Monday. Senior Superintendent Camilo Cascolan, Compostela police chief, identified the cop as Senior Police Officer 1 Alan Pansoy, who was tasked to accompany the governor and six other board members for a political rally in Anitapan, Mabini. 

 

The cop was with the governor and six board members at the time of abduction, said Cascolan.

 

Cascolan said the "fully-armed" NPA rebels had set up a checkpoint at Purok 6, Malamudao, Maco, where they stopped Governor Uy's convoy around 5 p.m.

 

The incident came five days after Private First Class Jesus Tomas Jr. was also abducted by suspected insurgents in Barangay Elizaldo, Maco, Compostela Valley. Tomas was seized allegedly due to his role in the killing of an eight-year-old child when soldiers supposedly shot civilians in Mabini town on April 3. To date, Tomas remains in rebel captivity. 

 

Cascolan said they already sent government security forces to pursue the NPA and rescue Pansoy.

 

Police have also set up checkpoints on exit areas in the municipalities of Mabini, Mawab, Maco and Pantukan.

 

Earlier, PO3 Ruben Nojapa Jr. was captured at an NPA "checkpoint" in Barangay Mainit in Nabunturan town, Compostela Valley last March 18. He was eventually released last April 2. 

 

Meanwhile, the rebels also attacked the convoy of Gingoog Mayor Ruthie de Lara-Guingona, the mother of Sen. Teofisto Guingona III and wife of former Vice President Teofisto Guingona Jr. last April 20. She survived the attack, but her driver and bodyguard were killed. The President has since ordered government troops to dismantle the so-called rebel checkpoints. — with Marc Jayson Cayabyab/RSJ, GMA News