By Ben Serrano,
Correspondent
BUTUAN City — The Army’s 41st Civil Military Operations Company (CMO) has accused the New People’s Army of “terrorizing undetermined number of local and foreign tourists” who visited the famous enchanted river in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, on Monday.
In a press statement signed by 1Lt. Karl Jan Devaras, company commander of the 41st CMO, said NPA Guerilla Front Committee 14 (GF14) under Ka Satur barricaded and threatened the tourists and other motorists in Barangay Bitoon, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.
Hinatuan is more than 140 kilometers away from here Butuan City, the regional center of Caraga Region.
The communist rebels reportedly barricaded and flagged down all vehicles that were leaving and going to the famous enchanted river, an eco-tourism site in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.
Tourist who witnessed the incident told military and police investigators that the NPA rebels ordered them to disembark from their vehicles and began frisking and searching their bags.
They complained they were also allegedly threatened at gunpoint by the suspected NPA rebels who shouted and threatened them harm if they would not follow their instructions.
The incident caused many motorists mostly tourists at the Enchanted River to be stranded for nearly 30 minutes, the military alleged.
Hot pursuit operations are now being conducted in the area, 1Lt. Karl Jan Devaras said.
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