Cops, soldiers urged to be more vigilant against rebel abductions

DAVAO CITY, April 3 (PIA) Members of the police and military have been warned to be wary of their security especially in distinguishing checkpoints run by government forces and by the rebels when travelling in a conflict-affected areas.

Senior Superintendent Aaron Aquino, chief of staff of the Police Regional Office XI issued the reminder to prevent the recurrence of abduction of police officers and soldiers by the communist rebels.

He said government forces must remember that checkpoints set up by either the police or military have marked vehicles, with soldiers wearing  full-military uniform with Kevlar helmets and vests and a KM truck if it is a check point by the soldiers and a marked police vehicle or mobile patrol with members in full police uniform if it is manned by the police.

“Police in the municipal stations must be more security conscious of their surroundings especially when they are mobile.  There is also a need to conduct real time coordination with the military to be sure that the ones manning a checkpoint are genuine policemen and soldiers,” Aquino said. 

He said PO1 Ruben Nohapa is the second policeman to be abducted and released by the rebels this year following P01 Rowel Pasion who was also abducted and freed by the rebels.

He also thanked Acting Mayor Rodrigo Duterte for facilitating the release of PO3 Ruben Nohapa, Jr., a member of the Nabunturan Police Station who was abducted by the rebels in a checkpoint at Barangay Anislagan, Nabunturan, Compostela Valley.

Nohapa was released by the rebels to the International Committee on the Red Cross, then to  Duterte, the members of the Sowing the Seeds for Peace and to his family in Barangay Nuevo Iloco, Mawab, Compostela Valley on April 2, 15 days after he was abducted on March 18.

Aquino said Nohapa is undergoing follow up medical treatment at the Regional Health Service.

He said Nohapa will also undergo debriefing, then he will be given the opportunity to spend time with his family before given a new assignment. (PIA XI-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)