4 barangay officials kidnapped in Davao

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Suspected members of the New People’s Army reportedly snatched Sunday four village officials in Barangay Tibuloy, Toril district, this city.

According to the Southern Mindanao regional police office, the abduction took place at around 2 a.m. before dawn on Easter Sunday wherein at least 20 communist guerrillas reportedly forcibly took the victims from their respective houses in Barangay Tibuloy.

Police identified the victims as former Tibuloy Barangay Captain Danilo Pendon and his son Dennis, who is currently a barangay councilman of the said village and former barangay councilmen Melchor Acle and Rafael Llego.

Initial reports showed that the victims were brought to the mountainous areas of Barangay Catigan, also in Toril district.

Police immediately conducted a hot pursuit operation against the rebels who are believed to be led by Leoncio Pitao, also known as Kumander Parago of the NPA’s Pulang Bagani command.

The abduction of the four victims followed the separate abduction in Calinan district on March 24 of former barangay councilwoman Juliana Noquera and one Rolando Miranda, who were both found dead in separate areas on Tuesday.