‘Missing’ SK found safe in friend’s house

CEBU, Philippines — Four days after the Sanguniang Kabataan (SK) chairman of a barangay in Badian town went missing, he was found at a friend’s house in Boljoon town last Sunday night.

Some 40 kilometers away from Barangay Tigbao, Reynell Cantila, 18, was located by cops.

Insp. Elmond John Mondaya, Badian police chief, said they received information regarding his whereabouts past 9 p.m. Sunday and they were able to confirm it.

“Gabii nakadawat ko information nga naa daw sa Boljoon unya pagkagabii naa gisugo personnel akong gipakuyog sa pamilya ila giadto ang lugar sa Boljoon and nag-positive,” he said in a phone interview.

Yesterday, Cantila was brought to his relatives in Oslob.

Earlier, it was reported that Cantila may have been abducted after his motorcycle was found abandoned near a bridge in Barangay Manduyong last Thursday evening.  His parent reportedly received a text from him asking for help.

Mondaya said that personal trouble was the reason for Cantila’s sudden disappearance. However, they will still conduct further investigation.

The police will not file charges against Cantila and that they are happy that he is safe.

“Maayo na lang na nga safe and sound na siya. Dili lang nato siya i-pressure nga mostorya sa tanang detalye. As to his responsibility for holding a public office, ang Department of Interior and Local Government na ang mutimbang,” he said.

For now, he recommended that Cantila should undergo debriefing for he may have been traumatized for reasons he still refused to disclose.

Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO 7) Director Debold Sinas agreed with Mondaya.

“Come up with what really happened.  If ako mag-suggest, i-stress debriefing siya. I-agi sa psychologist kay basin paranoia,” Sinas said. (FREEMAN)