Nearly 80 members of the New People's Army (NPA) has seized 39miners, including four children, at a gold mine in Mahayahay village inMindanao, the Philippines, in early May.
Latest reports said many of the miners have been freed but at least 10 are still being held at the site.
A local military officer said the rebels wanted to use the civiliansas “human shields” to stop government forces’ attacks.
The local authorities are making negotiations with the NPA to seek the release of the remaining victims.
The case took place on May 3, just one day after Filipino policearrested a leader of the force on the charge of masterminding thekilling of many government soldiers in Davao del Sur and Cotabatoprovinces.
The NPA, which has around 4,000 members,has been operating since 1969. President Benigno Aquino has hoped toreach a peace deal with the rebels.
before his six-year term ends in 2016, but peace talks have so far yielded no results.-VNA
Latest reports said many of the miners have been freed but at least 10 are still being held at the site.
A local military officer said the rebels wanted to use the civiliansas “human shields” to stop government forces’ attacks.
The local authorities are making negotiations with the NPA to seek the release of the remaining victims.
The case took place on May 3, just one day after Filipino policearrested a leader of the force on the charge of masterminding thekilling of many government soldiers in Davao del Sur and Cotabatoprovinces.
The NPA, which has around 4,000 members,has been operating since 1969. President Benigno Aquino has hoped toreach a peace deal with the rebels.
before his six-year term ends in 2016, but peace talks have so far yielded no results.-VNA
