NPAs raid Davao security agency, seize firearms, snatch 6 persons

MANILA, Philippines - New People’s Army (NPA) guerillas stormed a security agency in Tagum City Monday night, seized seven firearms and kidnapped six persons before fleeing in three armored vehicles owned by the company.

The six hostages identified as Terencio Laplana, 56, manager of the security agency; his wife and daughter Concepcion, 47, and Honey, 10; mechanic Rene Aquilino and two security guards, were reportedly released yesterday afternoon. They were brought to the agency by a board member of  the Compostela Valley.

In another rebel attack yesterday morning, five soldiers were wounded in two separate landmine explosions in Davao del Norte and Compostela Valley.

Lt. Col. Lyndon Panisa, spokesman for the 10th Infantry Division, said the rebels  arrived in two separate vehicles at the DASIA Security Agency office located in Orange Subdivision, Barangay South, at about 8 p.m.

Panisa said the armed men introduced themselves to the security guards as policemen and agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) purportedly tasked to serve a search warrant.

The rebels took seven high-powered firearms from the agency’s armory and fled taking with them the hostages.

Pursuing Army and police forces found the three armored vehicles along with a Montero and a Starex van in Barangay Lapu-Lapu in Maco, Compostela Valley. 

The DASIA Security Agency is said to be one of the leading security agencies in the country, whose clients include banks and commercial establishments.

Meanwhile, among those hurt in the landmine explosions were PFCs Joseph Mendio, Ryan Torena, Erwin Cordero, Lovie Joy Semillano and Bai Johana Durado and Gina Gubantes, a relative of one of the soldiers.

The soldiers were traveling along the highway in Barangay Magdum, Tagum City at about 6 a.m. when their vehicle hit a landmine believed planted by the rebels.

The victims were brought to the Davao Regional Hospital in Tagum City for treatment.

No one was reported injured or killed in a second explosion that occurred in Mawab town in  Compostela Valley. – With Edith Regalado