Sister of missing ex-cop seeks help of Duterte, Albayalde

Lalaine Pirote (left) asks the help of President Rodrigo Duterte and PNP chief Police Gen. Oscar Albayalde in finding her brother retired Police Major Lito Pirote, who was abducted by at least eight armed men in Bacolod City in April. Accompanying her was her daughter Dinah Alivio Pirote. Photo by Cathrine Gonzales / INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — The sister of abducted retired Police Major Lito Pirote on Tuesday asked the help of President Rodrigo Duterte and Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Oscar Albayalde.

Pirote, a former anti-drug operative and who was previously included in the President’s  list of alleged narco-cops, was abducted by at least eight armed men on board a white Toyota Hiace van in Bacolod City on Good Friday, April 19.

READ: Retired cop abducted by 8 armed men in Bacolod City

“Nananawagan po ako kay mahal na Presidente at PNP chief (Oscar) Albayalde, tulungan ninyo po kaming mahanap ‘yung kapatid ko,” Lalaine Pirote said in a press conference in Quezon City.

(I am calling on the President and PNP chief Albayalde, please help us find our brother.)

Two weeks following the abduction of her brother, Lalaine said their family has yet to receive a call from his abductors. She added that their family remains clueless on the whereabouts of the retired police officer.

Lalaine added that she does not have information to support the allegation of dismissed Police Col. Eduardo Acierto, that government forces were behind Pirote’s abduction. Acierto was Pirote’s former colleague at the Anti-Illegal Drug Special Operations Task Force.

Lalaine also denied an allegation that his brother has links to the illegal drug trade, which Albayalde earlier said was a possible motive behind the abduction.  /muf