FARC allegedly kidnaps two police officers

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PRADERA, Colombia, Jan. 27 (UPI) -- The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia guerrilla group allegedly kidnapped two policemen in Colombia, authorities said.

The two officers were investigating allegations of extortion in a rural area when the group, known by its Spanish acronym FARC, kidnapped them Friday, local police commander Col. Nelson Ramirez said.

"It was established that there was indeed a kidnapping of two policemen who were carrying out a verification of criminal activity in the area of Pradera and Palmira. ... We know that they [the guerrillas] took them [the policemen] when they were between Pradera and Palmira," he said.

FARC banned the kidnapping of civilians for ransom and taking security officials as hostage last year in exchange for political leverage, Colombia Reports said Sunday.

The alleged kidnapping took place the same day President Juan Manuel Santos visited the troubled southwestern Valle del Cauca police department to announce plans to curb violence, the newspaper said.