Barangay head, militiaman escape from NPA captors

DAVAO CITY – A barangay captain and a militiaman have reportedly escaped from the New People’s Army (NPA) which had held them captive for 10 days in Montevista, Compostela Valley.

Brig. Gen. Carlos Holganza, commander of the Army’s 1001st Infantry Brigade, cited reports that barangay captain Glorieto Mahumas and militiaman Rudy Villaflor managed to escape from their rebel captors in Barangay Canidkid Wednesday night.

Mahumas and Villaflor, along with Army Sgt. Raul Reyes, were snatched by the insurgents led by a certain Ka Jazzy during a raid on an Army detachment in Barangay Canidkid last Oct. 7.

Reyes is reportedly being held captive by a separate NPA group.

After their escape, Mahumas and Villaflor reportedly proceeded to the neighboring town of Nabunturan to meet with Compostela Valley Gov. Arthur Uy and other local and military officials.

Mahumas, said to be the president of the Association of Barangay Captains in Montevista town, is seeking re-election in the Oct. 29 barangay elections.

The NPA’s Southern Mindanao regional command admitted holding the three captive and investigating them for alleged offenses.

In a statement earlier this week, Aris Francisco, spokesman of the NPA’s Alejandro Lanaja Command, gave assurance that the three captives were being treated humanely.

Francisco said Mahumas and Villaflor allegedly took an active role in establishing paramilitary units in Montevista, while the 72nd IB to which Reyes belongs and the 60th IB in Compostela Valley were known for alleged human rights abuses.