2 supporters of Palparan's party-list group found dead

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Two supporters of the Bantay party-list group of Rep. Jovito Palparan were found dead in separate places in the region on Good Friday, more than two weeks after they were abducted in this city.

The body of former barangay councilwoman Juliana Noquera, who resided in Calinan district here, was found last Friday morning buried in a shallow grave along the shoreline of Sitio Mamacao, Barangay Kisulad in Sta. Maria, Davao del Sur.

Meanwhile, the body of Rolando Miranda was also recovered on the same day in Sitio Baybay, Barangay Panggubatan in Kaputian district, Island Garden City of Samal.

Noquera and Miranda were abducted by armed men last March 24 along the MacArthur Highway in Calinan district here.

Arthur Tariman, spokesman of the ANAD party-list group, said they would hold Mayor Rodrigo Duterte responsible should anything bad happen to ANAD’s Rep. Pastor Alcover and Palparan, who is now running for the Senate.

Alcover and Palparan earlier had implicated Duterte in the abduction of Noquera and Miranda.

Duterte, however, denied any involvement in the abduction. He was quoted though as saying that should he plan to abduct anyone, it would be Alcover and Palparan and not their “minions.”

Tariman said Duterte’s threat should not be taken lightly, alleging that it reminds of past extra-judicial killings in the city.

The mayor, however, could not be reached for comment yesterday. 

The Samar-based Bantay party-list group is composed of rebel returnees engaged in community work in communist strongholds, and supports efforts to fight insurgents and their fronts. – With Ben Serrano