Philippine rebels abduct soldiers and militiamen in predawn raid on Mindanao military base
- Government forces say they are trying to track down about 80 New People’s Army rebels who took hostages in the attack
Communist guerillas abducted two soldiers and at least a dozen militiamen in an attack on an army base in the south of the Philippines on Wednesday, officials said.
Government forces are trying to track down about 80 New People’s Army rebels who took the hostages in a predawn attack on an army patrol base near Sibagat town in Agusan del Sur province, according to Military Chief of Staff General Benjamin Madrigal Junior.
The guerillas seized more than 20 assault rifles and two-way radio equipment apparently without firing a shot.
“That’s the report we got, there’s no firefight,” said regional military commander Major General Ronald Villanueva, suggesting the troops were overwhelmed.
December 26 marks the Communist Party of the Philippines’ 50th anniversary. Marxist guerillas have marked revolutionary milestones by waging attacks in the past, military officials said.
