AFP: Dumagat teen not kidnapped

MANILA, Philippines - The military yesterday clarified that the Dumagat teenager who was reported to have been kidnapped in Quezon province by soldiers merely availed himself of the government’s social integration program.  

Col. Aurelio Baladad, commander of the Army’s 202nd Infantry Brigade, said Demer Morada, who allegedly went missing last Aug. 29, has returned home and is not under military custody.

Baladad said Morada learned about the local integration program from his former comrades in the New People’s Army (NPA).  

“He (Morada) used to be with the NPA… He learned about the local integration program when our soldiers were in the area. He wanted to avail himself of it. He got help in processing his papers,” Baladad said.

“He was not abducted or something… he is not missing,” he added.

Earlier, Fr. Pete Montallana, a Franciscan missionary, sought the help of the public in finding Morada, who he alleged was kidnapped in Quezon. 

Montallana said he knew about Morada’s disappearance when he visited the Dumagat community in Burdeos town.

Montallana said witnesses had told him that six armed men, believed to be soldiers, were behind Morada’s kidnapping.

“We cannot allow those who use our taxes to violate our rights,” the priest said.

Baladad said the priest may have been misinformed about the incident.

“I would advise that he should also investigate all the things that are relayed to him. There is a propaganda war going on,” he said, adding that the report may be part of the rebels’ propaganda.

For his part, Army spokesman Col. Antonio Parlade Jr. challenged Montallana to file cases against soldiers accused of kidnapping Morada.