NBI, PNP to look into alleged abduction of activists in Cebu; victims now safe

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Tuesday said the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) would look into the reported abduction of two activists in Cebu City.

"NBI naman basta merong ganyang notice. We will inform them, but I need details to inform them. Siguro, if you send me the details, I can ask the NBI Cebu to look at the matter," Remulla told reporters.

Lawyer Mico Clavano, DOJ spokesperson, said the NBI would be on top of the situation.

According to Karapatan-Central Visayas, Dyan Gumanao and Armand Dayoha were allegedly abducted in broad daylight at a crowded area in Pier 6, Cebu City just as passengers were disembarking from MV 2Go Maligaya last January 10.

As it condemned the incident, the group said the abduction was "reminiscent of the militarist antics during the dark days of Martial Law."

"It is utterly reprehensible that such impunity is replicated with wanton intensity. We fear for the worse as the country’s socio-economic health continues its downtrend to the precipice," Karapatan - Central Visayas said in a statement.

In a separate radio interview, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Rodolfo Azurin said he already tasked the Cebu police to probe the incident as there were reports that those who took the activists identified themselves as cops.

"Ang sinasabi nga daw sa report ay pulis nga daw, nagpakilalang pulis 'yung dumukot kaya tinitsek natin nang maigi kung totoo nga pong pulis kasi unang una ay hindi ho sila naka uniporme," Azurin said.

(There were reports that those who abducted them identified themselves as policemen therefore we are checking if they are really cops because they were not wearing uniforms.)

"It's broad daylight, kung mapapansin natin ay napakaraming tao na parang nanonood lamang, parang nashock sila so we really need to confirm kung pulis nga po 'yan," he added.

(It's in broad daylight, if you notice there were a lot of people who seem to be watching the incident. They seemed surprised so we really need to confirm if they were really cops.)

Azurin said the victims are now safe. He added authorities need their statement to identify the perpetrators of the crime.

"Kahapon nga ay lumantad na itong dalawa, buhay naman po sila kaya that's why kailangan makuha ang kanilang statement para maidentify o madescribe nila ano ba itsura noong mga dumukot sa kanila," Azurin said.

(The victims surfaced yesterday and they are safe. We need to get their statements to identify or describe the suspects.)

The Highway Patrol Group was also tasked to determine the vehicle used in the incident, the PNP chief said.

Azurin added that the police have coordinated with the military to determine if the victims were really activists.

"Kinoconfirm din natin at nagko-coordinate din tayo sa AFP kung meron silang record nga na totoong aktibista itong dalawa na ito," Azurin said.

(We are confirming and coordinating with the AFP if they have records if the two were really activists.)—AOL, GMA Integrated News