Suspected communist rebels abduct cop in Cotabato town

KIDAPAWAN City —Suspected communist guerrillas on Thursday kidnapped the deputy chief of police of President Roxas town in North Cotabato.

Chief Inspector Andres Sumugat, chief of the municipality's PNP, has confirmed the abduction of deputy Inspector Menardo Cui Sr., saying that the victim was inside HMB KTV Bar and Lodging House, located at the boundary of Barangays Tuael and Poblacion at about 830 p.m. 

Cui was off duty when rebels seized him, Sumugat said.

Two armed men barged in while Cui, a male friend, and two female workers of the KTV bar were having a videoke and drinking session.

At gunpoint, the suspects allegedly forced Cui to ride a motorcycle parked outside the inn.

Jensan Nacua, a bar employee, told police that he monitored at least two motorbikes, one a Honda wave and another Suzuki, few meters away from where Cui was shortly before the incident.

The suspects with Cui, sped off toward the hinterlands of Magpet town, reports said.

"Earlier, we received orders and directives from higher authorities to take extra precaution from possible attacks and harassment by the NPA and other threat groups,” said Sumugat. 

Cui is the second police officer the NPA abducted in the province this year.

On June 14, communist guerrillas operating in the Cotabato and Bukidnon areas snatched Police Officer 1 Bristol Catalan of the Makilala PNP in Barangay Katipunan, Kidapawan City.

Catalan was released almost five months later in Magpet town.

As of posting time, the NPA has not yet released any statements on Cui’s abduction. —LBG, GMA News