Agusan mayor's death big blow to campaign vs NPA, says PNP chief

The death of Mayor Dario Otaza, leader of Loreto town in Agusan del Sur, will be a big blow to the campaign against New People's Army rebels, according to Philippine National Police Director General Ricardo Marquez.

Over a dozen armed men clad in National Bureau of Investigation uniforms seized the victims at gunpoint outside their home in Baan village, Butuan City past 6 p.m. and loaded them to a sports utility vehicle (SUV) which sped off to unknown direction.

The abductors of the Otazas allegedly pretended to be National Bureau of Investigation agents, a tactic associated with the New People's Army rebels.

He said since he surrendered and later became mayor of Loreto, Otaza became a supporter of government programs.

"We condemn in the strongest possible terms this cowardly act".

The PNP chief believes that Otaza has been a "valuable partner of the community" in leading the campaign against insurgents and terrorists.

"Mayor Otaza was a Manobo, a Lumad and a former NPA rebel himself".

Coloma described Otaza as an "invaluable partner for peace" in Mindanao.

He said the Butuan City local government has activated its crisis committee and was scheduled to call for a press conference later in the day.

Their bodies were found Tuesday morning by the Philippine Army's 23rd Infantry Battalion, who were pursuing the kidnappers, in the vicinity of Purok 2, Barangay Bitan-agan, Butuan City, said Lieutenant Aurelio Balabad, a regional military commander.

Former chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Gen. Emmanuel Bautista said Otaza was instrumental in the surrender of 154 NPA rebels last May. He then put up programs to give the rebel returnees the necessary support in going back into mainstream society, he said.

Asked about Mr. Bautista's participation in the Palace update on the Otaza killings, Mr. Coloma said this matter is one of government's concerns, adding that Agusan del Sur was among the participants in a peace caravan last month, led by the government.

"Mayor Otaza and his son had multiple gunshot wounds in their chests", Martinez said. He lauded Otaza, who used to be a member of the NPA, for his valiant efforts in working against the armed group. "This is another Lumad killing purposely to sow threat and violence among the peace-loving Lumads and to the Filipino people as a whole", he said. "Under his leadership, development has started to set in in his town of Loreto, benefiting his constituents", Lactao added.

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