PNP: 2 ex-NDFP consultants arrested, not kidnapped

PNP Headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City. (Photo from the PNP Facebook page)

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police confirmed the arrest of two retired peace consultants who were initially reported abducted on Monday while waiting in line to get the COVID-19 vaccine in Parañaque City.

In a statement on Tuesday, the PNP said its operatives, along with soldiers, took into custody former National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) consultants Ernesto Lorenzo and Rosita Celino-Serrano and detained them at Camp Vicente Lim in Calamba, Laguna.

The PNP called the pair high-ranking officials of the Communist Party of the Philippines-Southern Tagalog regional party committee.

Lorenzo and Serrano were arrested at the Nayong Pilipino Foundation mega vaccination center on Seaside Drive in Barangay Tambo. Also taken into custody were a woman identified as Maria Fe Serrano, driver Andrei Medina, aide Plinky Longhas, and a still unidentified companion.

According to the PNP, Lorenzo alias “Adil” has two outstanding warrants of arrest for kidnapping and serious illegal detention, on top of attempted murder issued by the Gumaca, Quezon Regional Trial Court with no bail recommended.

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