PNP: Evidence shows Rolito Go was abducted

Police Chief Nicanor Bartolome. Matikas Santos/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines – The evidence obtained by police investigators was consistent with Rolito Go’s abduction story, Police Chief Nicanor Bartolome said Thursday.

“It appears, based on the statements and circumstances, that they (Rolito and nephew) were taken forcibly from the compound. Of course that is based on our investigation,” Bartolome said.

Bureau of Corrections Director Gaudencio Pangilinan had issued statements that Go was not abducted but had escaped.

Director General Nicanor Bartolome told reporters during a press conference Thursday where Go was presented that the pieces of evidence they have recovered were consistent with Go’s abduction story.

The car that was used in the abduction, a white Honda Civic owned by Clemence Yu, Go’s nephew and personal nurse, was recovered at 6:30 a.m. in Sto Tomas, Batangas Thursday by local police.

Bartolome said that an empty shell was recovered inside the car. It was consistent with Go’s statement saying his abductors fired a warning shot inside the car, he added.

Go also said he was hit at back of his head by one of the abductors. Medical personnel had checked on his injury and tended to it.

Go said that he had also suffered from colon cancer and has a colostomy bag and was still undergoing some treatment, making it difficult for him to escape.

At least four people were said to have been involved in the abduction of Go Tuesday night.

A computerized profile sketch of the suspects was already being processed, Bartolome said.

Go returned to the custody of the police after being released by his abductors in Sto Tomas, Batangas and then contacting relatives that they were riding a bus towards Alabang.

Members of the Police Anti-Kidnapping Group and relatives waited for him and met him in Alabang.

Bartolome said that they were very interested in the case of Go because of initial reports that he was abducted and because he was serving a prison term and should not be out of jail, both responsibilities of the police.