MANILA, (PNA)–Units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Eastern Mindanao Command is now pursuing a New People’s Army (NPA) band who abducted six Lumads in Barangay Sabud, Loreto town, Agusan Del Sur Thursday morning.
One soldier was also wounded trying to help the victims, Eastern Mindanao Command spokesperson Capt. Alberto Caber said.
He added around 30 rebels participated in the abductions.
The victims are all barangay election candidates and identified as Lito and Balaba Andalaque, Reynaldo Piodos, Marvin Bantuasan and Gina Bantuasan, and Pepe Subla.
Caber said that the victims being held by the NPAs allegedly to influence the barangay elections.
He added the Loreto municipal government is organizing a crisis management team to address the situation.
Combined forces from 26th Infantry Battalion and Philippine National are now conducting pursuit and rescue operations.