Suspected NPAs abduct North Cotabato cop
Local News • 19:40 PM Wed Aug 16, 2017
1,177
By:
John Andrew Tabugoc
Police immediately conduct checkpoint along Makilala highway following the abduction of PO1 Briston Catalan. (JAT)
MAKILALA,
North Cotabato - A police officer here
was abducted by alleged members of New Peoples’ Army (NPA) near his residence
in Barangay Katipunan.
The victim was
identified as Police Officer 1 Briston Catalan, 52 years old, a resident of
Purok 3, Barangay Katipunan, and detailed in Makilala Municipal Police station.
Reports said
Catalan was driving his motorcycle to send his two children to school when he
was flagged down by three suspected rebels armed with pistols.
Catalan was
forced to board another motorbike which was driven by one of the suspects and
left his two children and his motorbike in the area.
Superintendent
Ma. Joyce Birrey, spokesperson of North Cotabato Police, confirmed the
abduction but refused to give further details as she awaits the official report
from Makilala PNP.
Meantime,
government forces have conducted pursuit operation and mounted several checkpoints
to adjacent villages.
In June, three
suspected guerillas including a local commander were nabbed in a joint military
and police operation in this city.
Three M-16
rifles and bomb components were recovered from them by North Cotabato police
personnel.