Manila, Philippines — Communist rebels raided two logging companies in the southern Philippines and seized 77 workers as hostages, military officials said Sunday.
The first incident took place Aug. 22 in Palo, in Agusan Del Norte province, 480 miles south of Manila, when rebels of the New Peoples Army raided the Mainit Lumber Development Corp. and held hostage 74 workers, officials said.
A week later, the rebels attacked another logging firm 100 miles farther south, in Agusan del Sur province, taking three workers hostage, off on duty at the regional military headquarters in Cagayan de Oro City, 100 miles southwest of Palo, said there was no word on the fate of the hostages. He could not confirm news reports that the rebels de manded ransoms for the hostages.
Ponce said the rebels also seized equipment, including several bulldozers and tractors, and firearms and explosives from the two firms. The army was tracking the rebels, he added.
The NPA is the 12,000strong armed wing of the outlawed Communist Party of the Philippines. The rebels have been fighting a guerrilla against the 20yearold government of President Ferdinand Marcos.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 6, 1985
