ILOILO City – A soldier of the Philippine Army’s 12th Infantry Battalion (12IB) was abducted and killed by New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Barangay Lahug, Tapaz, Capiz yesterday.
Army Corporal Frederick Villasis was a resident of Barangay Jaena, Tapaz.
According to Major Cenon Pancito III, spokesperson of the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID), Villasis was onboard a motorcycle with Analyn Giganto, a councilwoman in Lahug, around 11:30 a.m.
The two were headed to the town hall to borrow an ambulance for sick persons in the barangay, said Pancito.
However, around 40 armed men blocked their way and took the soldier with them, leaving an unharmed Giganto behind.
The rebels reportedly tortured Villasis before shooting him from behind. His motorcycle was also set on fire.
Army Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Jayson Estrada, commander of the 12IB, launched a hot pursuit operation.
Pancito, meanwhile, said what the rebels did was barbaric and desperate, and a clear violation of human rights.
“We are really saddened. Tutulong lang sana ang ating tao pero pinatay nila,” Pancito said. “We condemn the killing. What they did was summary execution. Binaril na patalikod. We won’t stop seeking justice for our soldier.”/PN
