NPA rebels clad in Army uniform kidnap Davao cop

Compostela town, Compostela Valley (Wikipedia maps)

DAVAO CITY—Communist rebels, who were disguised as soldiers, abducted a policeman in a hinterland village in Compostela town, Compostela Valley on Tuesday, police said on Wednesday.

Chief Supt. Manuel Gaerlan, Southern Mindanao police chief, said PO1 Alfredo Basabica Jr. was snatched by New People’s Army (NPA) rebels while on board a bus on his way home to Davao City after rendering duty in Cateel town, Davao Oriental.

An undetermined number of NPA insurgents clad in military uniforms set up a checkpoint at Kilometer 26, Panansalan village and flagged the Mallen Trans bus, according to Senior Insp. Catherine dela Rey, Southern Mindanao police spokesperson.

When rebels ordered all passengers to get off, they got hold of Basabica, a member of the 2nd platoon of Davao Oriental provincial public safety company (DOPPSC) based in Aliwagwag village, Cateel.

Basabica was reportedly wearing his police uniform. It was not immediately known if the policeman was armed when he was taken by the rebels.

The armed men then fled to an unknown direction, Dela Rey said, adding police and soldiers were now conducting operations to locate and rescue the kidnapped lawman.

Gaerlan condemned the incident, calling it a criminal act perpetrated by “terrorists.”

“I enjoin our people to report the whereabouts of the victim to the nearest police station,” the regional police chief said. JPV