MANILA, Philippines — The New People’s Army (NPA) has reportedly beheaded a member of the government militia, who had been held hostage by the rebels in Surigao del Sur.
Government troops recovered over the weekend the remains of Ryard Badiang, 24, in Maitum, Tandag City, according to 1/Lt. Jonald Romorosa, civil military operation officer of the Army’s 36th Infantry Battalion (IB).
The troopers were conducting rescue and pursuit operations against the rebels when they found Badiang’s body in Sitio Mahawan.
Badiang, a member of the Cafgu Active Auxiliary unit, was seized by suspected NPA guerrillas on May 30.
“This is another act of terrorism. The murder and beheading of Ryard Badiang by the communist NPA terrorists is a crime and a violation of the international humanitarian law,” Romorosa said.
He said Badiang’s family, through radio interviews, had repeatedly appealed to the NPA to release him.
Lt. Col. Xerxes Trinidad, commander of the 36th IB, said the military condemns the killing of Badiang.