The military is ready to launch operations to free the three hostages held by the communist New People’s Army (NPA) in Agusan del Sur if so ordered by the local crisis management committee which was immediately activated after the Thursday abduction.
Army 4th Infantry Division (ID) spokesman Maj. Eugenio Julio Osias IV said the CMC, headed by Rosario municipal Mayor Jose Cuyos, convened yesterday to formulate actions to resolve the hostage-taking.
“We are prepared to make our move upon the orders of the local crisis management committee. We will be working closely with the Philippine National Police and the CMC,” Osias said.
He said 4th ID troopers yesterday closely monitored the movement of the NPA band led by Renato Sayasat alias commander, who is the head of the section committee — 14 of the NPA’s Northeastern Mindanao regional party committee.
Osias said that the military received information that Christopher Ocite, son of engineer Vivencio Ocite, the owner of the VPO Mining compound in Barangay Bayugan Tres, Rosario town, has called his family and confirmed that he is held captive by the NPA.
Heavily armed NPA rebels swooped down at the VPO Mining compound on Thursday, ransacking the company’s office and dragging Ocite, Crispin Alutaya, operations officer of VPO, and Joel Jayuma as hostages.
Osias said 4th ID chief Maj. Gen. Victor Felix has directed the troops, particularly the 75th Infantry Battalion (IB), to increase security measures and to be extra vigilant.
For his part, Army 401st Brigade commander Col. Romeo Gan said the latest hostage-taking only showed the true character of the NPA.
“They are worse than common criminals, engaging into kidnap for ransom activities,” said Gan.
The NPA band demanded K3 squad automatic weapons and M16 rifles in exchange for the safe release of the three hostages.