PNP rules out NPA role in case of missing Peace Corps volunteer

The Philippine National Police (PNP) ruled out yesterday kidnapping or the New People’s Army’s (NPA) involvement in the disappearance of US Peace Corps volunteer Julia Campbell, who was last seen in Banaue, Ifugao more than a week ago.

"There is no indication that Campbell was snatched by outlaws or the NPA," said Director General Oscar Calderon.

Superintendent Joseph Adnol, Cordillera police spokesman, said criminals would not be interested in kidnapping Campbell, a member of a volunteer organization, in exchange for ransom.

"It has been very long since foreign nationals, especially Westerners were reported to have been victimized by criminals on the loose in the Cordilleras," he said.

The last known abduction of foreigners in Ifugao took place five years ago when gangmen held a visiting German envoy and his wife for five days and robbed them of their money from an automatic teller machine in Baguio City, he added.

Adnol said Ifugao has been free of NPA rebels since the 1980s.

"In fact, there is no indication if Campbell was kidnapped or taken by the NPA," he said.

"Otherwise, the kidnappers or the NPA would have contacted her family or her office to demand anything for her release."

On the other hand, Maj. Gen. Rodrigo Maclang, Army 5th Infantry Division commander, said records show Campbell had made a reservation at the Autobus terminal here for a trip back to Manila on April 9.

However, they have yet to establish information leading to the whereabouts of the missing Peace Corps volunteer, he added.

Maclang said his men will reinforce the 15-man Army team looking for Campbell, and that helicopters will be used to intensify the search.

These helicopters would be for purely reconnaissance purposes, he added.

Cordillera police director Chief Superintendent Raul Gonzales has driven to Ifugao to supervise the operations of a task force that he had formed to look for Campbell.

Meanwhile, the director of the US Peace Corps has arrived from Washington to join the search for the missing volunteer.

US Peace Corps Director Ronal Tschetter landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport from Hong Kong aboard a Philippine Airlines flight.

Tschetter said he does not know how long he would stay in the country as his only concern is to find Campbell.

Tschetter was met at the airport by Karl Beck, US Peace Corps Volunteers director to the Philippines.

Tschetter went to Banaue, Ifugao yesterday to consult with Philippine officials regarding the search for Campbell

Tschetter traveled to Banaue with US Embassy chargé d’affaires Paul Jones to meet with American and Filipino authorities involved in the search, learn about the efforts being made and express gratitude for their assistance.

US Embassy spokesman Matt Lussenhop said the US government will give a reward of $10,000 to anybody who can give information on the whereabouts of Campbell.

Trained dogs will be used to help locate the missing Peace Corps volunteer.

The officials went to Barangay Batad here, where Campbell was last seen, but failed to establish any lead as to her whereabouts. – With Artemio Dumlao, Charlie Lagasca, Rudy Santos, Pia Lee-Brago, Christina Mendez