Rebels seize, free 2 Sarangani village execs

MANILA, Philippines - Suspected New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas snatched on Friday two village councilmen in Sarangani but released them the following day, the military reported yesterday.

Terso Manambay and Ballota Tamalon were kidnapped at around 4:45 p.m. in Barangay San Juan in Malungon town, said Capt. Rey Balibagoso, spokesman for the Army’s 1002nd Infantry Brigade.

The kidnappers, reportedly led by a certain Manuel Garduque, brought the victims to Sitio Mahayahay, some 20 kilometers from Barangay San Juan.

On Saturday morning, security officials received a report that Manambay and Tamalon have been released.

“Our assessment is that the NPA rebels used them as human shields to be able to get out of the village, as (there is a) military operation in the area,” Balibagoso said.

The military is working with the police and the local government to file charges against the rebels behind the incident.