The Philippine Army on Thursday belied reports that soldiers abducted three individuals "falsely identified" as Indigenous People's defenders, insisting that they were members of the New People's Army.

Bgen Randolph Cabangbang, commander of the PA's 203rd Infantry Battalion-2nd Infantry Division lambasted the Karapatan Group for accusing the military of abducting Alia Encelo, Job Abednego David, and Peter Del Monte.

Cabangbang said the Karapatan's claims on the disappearance of supposed rights advocates are "distorted and full of lies."

Karapatan group condemned the arrest of three personalities who were conducting a probe on "human rights violations in connection to reports of bombings and shelling by the 203rd IB around the area earlier this year."

In response, Cabangbang said the three individuals "were captured and arrested" during a legitimate military operation in Barangay Lisap, Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro on 23 September.

He then insisted that the three individuals were members of the NPA's Main Regional Guerrilla Unit as he cited the guerilla's combatant profile and gallery.

"During the capture, they attempted to resist and reach for some objects inside their bags and upon seeing that they have been surrounded, decided to heed the soldiers' call not to move anymore," he said.

"They were in possession of improvised landmines and grenades inside their bags that they probably planned to use in ambushing government troops," he added.

The Army official said the three would be facing charges of violating Republic Act 9516 (An act Further Amending the Provisions of PD No. 1866, As Amended, Entitled to Codifying the Laws on Illegal/Unlawful Possession, Manufacture, Dealing in, Acquisition or Disposition of Firearms, Ammunition or Explosives or Instruments Used in the Manufacture of Firearms, Ammunition or Explosives, and Imposing Stiffer Penalties for Certain Violations Thereof, and For Other Relevant Purposes) and Violation of Section 4(a) and 4(d), Republic Act No. 11479 (Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020).

Cabangbang said one of the captured, Alia Encelo, 19, was an active member of Gabriela Youth prior to joining the NPA in January this year.

While Job Abednego David and Peter Del Monte, both 29 years old, have been with the NPA for more than 6 years, he added.

"Job, from Quezon City, is a Fine Arts student at a prestigious school, and Peter, a high school drop-out from Tondo, Manila. They were later on identified by former rebels, who have surrendered, to be NPA members," Cabangbang said.

"The captured rebels claimed that they have been in hiding for months, owing to the continuous military operations, and have not eaten a decent meal for two months," he added.