MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said efforts are underway to track down and rescue two troops and 12 militiamen kidnapped by New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Sibagat, Agusan del Sur last December.
“Yes, there is an ongoing operation supervised by the (Cagayan-based) 4th ID (Infantry Division),” AFP public affairs office chief Col. Noel Detoyato said in a message to the Philippine News Agency (PNA) late Thursday when sought for an update on the matter.
No other detail was given for security reasons.
When asked if the AFP will consider the NPA demand for a suspension of military operations to facilitate the release of the captives, Detoyato said the military does not negotiate with “kidnappers and terrorists.”
Earlier, the AFP official revealed that a Board of Inquiry has been formed to investigate the NPA raid.
Aside from the capture of the two troopers and 12 militiamen, the rebels seized scores of automatic rifles, ammunition, a radio and other supplies.
The NPA is listed as a terrorist organization in the United States and the European Union. -PNA
