December 26, 2000, The Philippine Star, Captive cop, soldier joining communist rebs in attacks?

Army Maj. Noel Buan and police Chief Inspector Abelardo Martin may have joined their communist captors in staging attacks against military and police detachments and other government installations, a military official said yesterday.

"We have been receiving reports that the two (Buan and Martin) have actually been leading ambuscades and attacks on detachments and convoys," the source, who requested anonymity, said, noting the stepped-up attacks of the New People's Army (NPA) in Quezon and Laguna in the past several weeks.

Buan, former deputy chief for intelligence of the Armed Forces' Southern Luzon Command, was abducted by NPA rebels while reportedly leading an intelligence operation in Quezon in July 1999. Martin, police chief of Dolores, Quezon, was abducted three months later during a raid on his detachment.

Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado, however, said he has received reports to the contrary, adding that the NPA may release the two hostages.

"I've heard of that report (of Buan and Martin joining the rebels), but it was not confirmed. What I received was that they might be actually released," Mercado said in a telephone interview.

The government declared a suspension of military operations (SOMO) against the NPA in Laguna and Quezon thrice this year, each lasting for two weeks, to pave the way for the release of Martin and Buan, but the rebels did not free them.

The government said it will no longer declare any SOMO against the NPA which, it said, has proved to be insincere and has taken advantage of the ceasefire to consolidate its forces, get back at rebel returnees and intensify extortion activities.

In another development, a policeman and an NPA guerrilla were killed in a firefight that ensued when the rebels attacked the lawman's house in Monreal, Masbate last Monday, the provincial police said.

Killed during the five-hour firefight were SPO4 Edwin Espiloy of the Monreal police, and NPA rebel Boni Almosara, according to Masbate police director Julius Ovilla.

Ovilla said Espiloy's wife, Eden, and SPO1 Efraim Espiloy, who also fought it out with the rebels, were wounded.

Last Dec. 17, lawmen repulsed an attack by NPA guerrillas on the police station of Casiguran, Sorsogon, resulting in the deaths of a policeman and a rebel.

The NPA also attacked the town hall of Caramoan, Camarines Sur last Nov. 18, killing a policeman and wounding two other lawmen and a civilian. The rebels also carted away several firearms. -- With Celso Amo