NPA frees Agusan Sur barangay councilman

BUTUAN CITY , Philippines – New People’s Army (NPA) rebels freed on Wednesday night a village official in Loreto, Agusan del Sur who they seized last June 30 on suspicion of being a military informant.

Loreto Mayor Dario Otaza confirmed yesterday that Barangay Sta.Teresa councilman Edgar Bantuasan came to see him following his release, accompanied by his family and the negotiating team.

NPA rebels swooped down on Barangay Sta. Teresa early morning of June 30, and herded some 70 male residents in an elementary school where they questioned each one of them.

The guerrillas eventually seized Bantuasan, and later called for the withdrawal of government forces in the area in exchange for his release.