Retired cop linked to kidnap slain

BUTUAN CITY — A retired policeman, who a former rebel tagged as the alleged mastermind of a female teacher’s abduction here last Sept. 14, was stabbed to death last Sunday night.

Police said Rolando Barleso, 55, was attacked by one of a number of youths in a drinking bout at a waiting shed near a police outpost in Barangay Libertad here.

Former rebel Julieto Andil linked Barleso to the abduction of Catalina Culaste, 44. Besides the kidnapping case, Barleso was also charged in court for the alleged rape of a 16-year-old.

Earlier, Barleso denied having a hand in Culaste’s kidnapping. He, however, admitted filing theft charges against her daughter, Rawlyn Buyan, 23, for allegedly stealing P300,000 and jewelry worth P200,000 from his store last month. — Ben Serrano