PNP: 2 youth activists in Bulacan nabbed, not abducted

ANGAT, BULACAN — The two youth activists reportedly abducted by armed men on Saturday in this town were found detained in Nueva Ecija, police said on Tuesday.

Police Col. Chito Bersaluna, Bulacan police director, said John Griefin Arlegui, 19, and Reynaldo Viernes, 24, both members of the urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay), were arrested for illegal possession of firearms, ammunition, and explosives.

The arrest was carried out by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Nueva Ecija, Bersaluna said.

The two Kadamay members were charged with violations of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunitions Regulation Law and the unlawful manufacture, possession, and dealings of firearms, explosives, and ammunition.

The complaints were filed at the Nueva Ecija Provincial Prosecutor’s Office, Bersaluna added.

It was not immediately known why operatives of CIDG in Nueva Ecija made the arrest.

Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national chair, said Arlegui and Viernes went missing on Saturday while they were posting campaign materials of senatorial candidate Neri Colmenares and Bayan Muna Partylist.

Citing witnesses’ accounts, Arellano said armed men abducted the two about 10 a.m. in Barangay Sta. Cruz.