‘Probe kidnap of Aglipayan priest in Nueva Ecija’

President Arroyo ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) yesterday to look into the abduction of an Aglipayan priest in Nueva Ecija two weeks ago by at least 20 armed men.

The armed men, wearing camouflage uniform, seized Fr. Dakila Lopez, parish priest of a local Philippine Independent Church, from his residence in San Jose City at about 10:30 p.m. last May 22.

Dakila’s sisters, Diwata and Maharlika, went to the Presi—dent’s People’s Day at the Presidential Action Center (PACE) in San Miguel, near Malacañang yesterday.

The two were standing in for the priest’s wife who is now six months pregnant.

"I am referring your case to NBI director Reynaldo Wycoco," the President told the two sisters.

According to the Lopezes, the local police have not come up with any solid leads on the abduction. San Jose City has 38 barangays which, they said, have a large PIC following.

The Lopezes said their brother, who was very vocal against wrongdoings, might have offended certain politicians who ran in the last election.

Meanwhile, the President granted 22-year-old Ferdinand Duldulao a scholarship for a vocational course in electronics.

Through the President’s help, Duldulao will be enrolled at the National Vocational Rehabilitation Center in Project 4, Quezon City. He finished high school at the Lalio National High School in Cagayan.

All in all, the President provided assistance to 116 individual requests, which ranged from wishes for job placement to medical, legal and financial assistance.

The President’s People’s Day is in line with the policy of the late President Diosdado Macapagal, Mrs. Arroyo’s father, to reserve one day every week to address the needs of the masses.