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By BEN SERRANO
Correspondent

BUTUAN City–The New People’s Army (NPA) yesterday said it was looking into the alleged involvement of two of the captured police officers in Surigao del Norte to illegal logging and other abuses.

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Four police personnel, one a non-uniformed, were seized by NPA rebels in Barangay Cagtinae, Malimono, Surigao del Norte on Sunday afternoon, a day before President Duterte declared a unilateral ceasefire.

NPA spokesperson Rino Cuevas Colaste Sr. a.k.a. Ka Otto alleged that one of the officers was involved in illegal drug activities and other abuses which include mauling of civilians while another served as a protector of illegal logging activities.

Colaste told radio stations here that the four officers were captured during a cock derby staged in time for a barangay fiesta.

The Surigao del Norte Police Office identified the officers captured by rebels as SPO3 Santiago Lamanilao of the Surigao city police, PO3 Jayroll Bagayas, PO2 Caleb Senaca and Rodrigo Angob of the Malimono town police.

Seized by 10

Based on police reports, the victims were taken by 10 armed men wearing military uniforms at a cockpit in Barangay Cagtinae.

The rebels took the victims to the mountainous areas of Malimono.

Colaste, the spokesperson of Front Committee 16 of the NPA, that they were responsible for the abduction of the police officers.

“We are behind the abductions of the cops and they are now under the custodial force of the red armies,” he said.

Colaste said they only had one target among the four–PO2 Senaca, whom he said is facing charges before the “people’s court.” Senaca, the rebel leader claimed, was involved in illegal drug syndicates, illegal logging, and land grabbing.

Senaca is the nephew of former Malimono Mayor Teodoro Senaca Jr., and the first cousin of Wallace Senaca, the current mayor of the town. (with reports from roel catoto of mindanews)

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