ZAMBOANGA CITY: Two police officers from Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental provinces were captured and being held “prisoners of war” by the communist New People’s Army (NPA). A rebel spokesman, Roel Agustin, on Friday said both Police Officer 1 Alfredo Basabica and Senior Police Officer 2 George Rupinta are being interrogated by the NPA. Basabica was captured at a rebel checkpoint in Barangay Panansialan, Compostela town, while traveling to Davao City. The rebels accused the military of murdering innocent civilians suspected of being rebels or supporters of the NPA in the provinces. The military blamed the rebels for deadly attacks despite the peace negotiations.

Source: Manila Times July 14, 2017 13:07 UTC