Ex-Davao barangay exec, companion snatched

DAVAO CITY , Philippines  – A former barangay official and her companion were snatched by armed men in Calinan district here Wednesday afternoon, authorities said.

Police said Juling Noquera, 51, a former councilwoman of Barangay Dominga, and her male companion, still unidentified, were reportedly resting in front of the Fantasy Resto Bar along MacArthur Highway when the latter was dragged at gunpoint by two men into a gray pick-up with license plate LEX 714.

Noquera tried to flee and boarded a tricycle, but the armed men caught up with her in front of the Felcris Supermarket in Calinan district and seized her, too.

The armed men, bringing along Noquera and her companion, reportedly fled toward Bukidnon.

Upon verification with the Land Transportation Office (LTO), the pick-up’s license plate was found to have been issued to one Romeo Jaro Paras of Matina district this city.

However, what was registered with the LTO under Paras’ name was a midnight blue Kia Besta van.

Authorities also discovered that the XR200 Honda motorcycle of Noquera’s companion with license plate MQ1581 was registered under Victoriano and Marjorie Malaban of Poblacion, Libungan, Cotabato.

The motorcycle is now in the custody of the police.

The whereabouts of Noquera and her companion were still unknown as of press time.    –