40 rebels break-in village chief's home in Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY - At least 40 heavily armed New People’s Army (NPA) rebels raided the house of a village chairman and briefly took his family hostage San Miguel town, Zamboanga del Sur on Thursday night.

Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca, spokesman of Police Regional Office 9 (PRO), said the rebels led by still unidentified commander barged into the house of barangay captain Diocoro Lauranilla in Barangay Calube about 10:30 p.m.

The armed men rounded up all members of the household and ransacked the residense of personal belongings, including Lauranilla's handgun.

Huesca said the rebels took the chairman's family hostage for their escape.

Pursuit operations have been launched against the rebel group.