Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana
QUEZON CITY, Philippines – Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Thursday (December 20) confirmed that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) already launched a hot pursuit operation against the abductors of government troopers in Agusan Del Sur.
“Mayroong pursuit operations nang ginagawa ang ating tropa. I think OPPAP, si Gen. Galvez is on top of this also,” he said.
Two soldiers and 12 members of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) were held hostages by New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Barangay New Tubigon, Sibagat, Agusan De Sur on Wednesday (December 19).
Lorenzana believes the NPA terrorists are planning to use their captives as shields against the ongoing military offensives in their area.
But the Defense secretary said the military will not stop until the rebels are neutralized and the captives are safely rescued.
“Gagamitin nilang leverage iyan to stop the operation from military sa area nila. But we will not stop. The soldiers and the CAFGU know that they are at war with these people,” Lorenzana said.
Meanwhile, Philippine Army 4ID Commander MGen. Ronald Villanueva earlier confirmed that a board of inquiry has been created and investigation is underway on the recent attack by the NPA rebels at the Army Detachment in Sibagat.
Aside from the 14 hostages, the rebels have taken 24 high-powered firearms from the military during the incident. – Marje Pelayo (with reports from Lea Ylagan)
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