North Cotabato electric coop technician snatched

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines — Authorities still have no leads on the identities of the gunmen who seized a solar power technician of the Cotabato Electric Cooperative (Cotelco) in Arakan town on Tuesday.

Kier Selibio, a photo voltaic expert, was snatched in Barangay Kabalantian, according to Cotelco manager Godofredo Homez.

Homez said Selibio managed to send a text message that armed men took him for unknown reasons.

Barangay officials and community elders said Selibio could have been taken by New People’s Army rebels on suspicion that he was spying for the police or the military.

North Cotabato Gov. Nancy Catamco, chairperson of the provincial peace and order council, appealed to Selibio’s captors to release him.