Entire LDP slate in Jiabong, Samar abducted

Tacloban City – The entire slate of the opposition candidates in Jiabong, Samar, from the mayor down to the councilors, were reportedly abducted by fully armed men believed to be communist rebels at around 4:00 p.m. last Friday.

Police disclosed that Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP) mayoralty bet Clarita Gabieta, who is seeking a third term, her running mate and the eight candidates running for councilors were forcibly abducted by still unidentified men while about to start its political sortie in Barangay Dugungan, some 30 kilometers away from the Jiabong town proper.

Chief Inspector Gaudencio Vivencio, who was tasked by Samar PNP provincial director Senior Superintendent Conrado Calvario to conduct a thorough investigation of the incident, told reporters that based on the information gathered by his team, the victims were brought to the outskirts of the said barangay, and as of presstime yesterday, were still being held by the rebels.

The Arnulfo Ortiz Command in Jiabong has reportedly demanded P500,000 from Gabieta’s camp. However, Garbieta had reportedly just paid P200,000, which was the reason why the whole slate of LDP was abducted on Friday.

Aside from Gabieta, also abducted were re-electionist vice-mayor Armingol Cabubas Jr. and Oscar Abonales, Emiliani Brazil, Placido Jabies, Luisito Jabonero, Sixto Hernandez, Marvin Labong, Reynaldo Limbanan and Hermigildo Mabutin, all running for councilor.