Mayor sees release of Cotabato cop held by rebels

COTABATO CITY—Mayor Rudy Caoagdan of Makilala town in North Cotabato province said a policeman held by communist rebels might be freed soon after he received feelers from his captors.

Caoagdan said a New People’s Army (NPA) emissary informed him that rebels holding PO1 Bristol Catalan wanted to open communication lines with him.

Three armed men, believed to be NPA rebels, seized Catalan, a member of intelligence unit of the Makilala police, in Barangay Katipunan while the policeman was taking his two sons to school on Aug. 16.

Catalan’s children were unharmed but were deeply traumatized, the policeman’s wife, Jessa, said.

Jessa said she had not received any word from her husband or from his captors.

Kidapawan Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo has appealed to the NPA rebels to free Catalan without condition.

“I hope PO1 Catalan will be with his family soon,” Caoagdan said. —EDWIN O. FERNANDEZ