34-year-old abducted in Batangas, still missing after two weeks

A 34-year-old man, who was abducted by armed men in Batangas, has remained missing for over two weeks.

According to Andrew Bernardo’s report on GMA Regional TV “Balitang Southern Tagalog”, Rodrigo Catibog was abducted in Barangay Buhangan in Lian town.

Gean, the victim’s live-in girlfriend, said they were on board a motorcycle to fetch someone in a nearby town when armed men suddenly blocked their way.

“Bigla pong bumaba ‘yung mga kalalakihan. Malaki po ang mga katawan nila at hinatak po siya. Ngayon po tinutukan po ako ng mga armado po… noong kinuha po siya sadya pong hindi ako nakatingin at ang pangalan niya po hindi ko na tawag,” Gean said.

Gean said they are still clueless as to where he is and what could have happened to him.

“Baka pinaghinalaan lang siya o pinagkamalan lang. Sana ibalik na po siya sa akin. Pakiramdam ko na hindi po siya nawawala at alam kong babalik po siya. May awa po ang Diyos,” she said.

“Mabait naman siya at walang kaaway at bakit siya kinuha ng mga armado,” Rodrigo Catibog Sr., the victim’s father, added.

Lian Police Station chief Police Major Jeffrey Dallo said they are coordinating with the anti-kidnapping group for the whereabouts of the victim. However, they are looking into the victim’s involvement in several crimes as the possible motive for abduction.

“Several shooting incidents, na nangyari dito sa Lian and nearby municipality, siya ang suspek. From investigation siya ang itinuturo. We were able to files a case against him sa korte,” Dallo said.

Calabarzon Police regional director Police Brigadier General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said that the series of abduction in the region might have been linked to other criminal groups.

“Siyempre na alarma rin ang kidnapping group o OCG (organized crime groups). Siyempre nag-cleanse din sila ng mga grupo nila. Kung sino ang weakest link or maybe mayroon silang ginagawang termination just to keep secret kung sino pa ang other members nila,” Nartatez said.

However, the victim’s family maintained that Rodrigo was not involved in any illegal activities.

They also asked the perpetrators to surface him immediately. —Mel Matthew Doctor/NB, GMA News