Police still can’t locate abducted RPA member

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office was still in the dark on the whereabouts of Cirilo Bagnuran, a member of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army, who was abducted by the communist rebels last December 10.

Senior Superintendent Samuel Nacion, acting director of NOPPO, admitted they still have no idea where Bagnuran is now, after the latter was abducted by about 50 members of the New Peoples Army who attacked his cock farm in La Castellana, Negros Occidental.

“We still have no update on the situation, although the NPA had already admitted to the abduction,” Nacion said, as he also appealed to the rebels to release their victim.

During the rebels’ attack, RPA leader Rene “Maco” Europa was able to escape from them, but they got Bagnuran as they fled from the scene.

Nacion said Bagnuran and Europa were former NPA members who yielded to the authorities and returned to the folds of the law, starting their new lives with the mainstream society. The abduction may be personal in motive, he surmised.

He said the police were still getting sworn statements from the victims’ families, who however have yet to decide on whether they will pursue cases against the perpetrators.

Nacion further said NOPPO has been on alert for the 47th anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines on December 26, when it is expected that NPA rebels will conduct atrocities, even on hapless civilians. (FREEMAN)