2 UP-Clark alumni abducted in N. Ecija found in jail; PNP calls them 'rebels'

From InterAksyon (Aug 10): 2 UP-Clark alumni abducted in N. Ecija found in jail; PNP calls them 'rebels'

Two alumni of the University of the Philippines Diliman Extension Program in Pampanga who were reportedly abducted Saturday in Carranglan, Nueva Ecija were found in the provincial jail Sunday. The Central Luzon police command said they were not abducted, but 'rebels' arrested by a composite team hunting down a man wanted for double murder.

Gerald “Geary” Salonga and Guiller Martin Cadano, who are both youth organizers of Kabataan and Anakbayan party-list groups in Central Luzon, were found by their parents and their colleagues at the Provincial Public Safety Headquarters in Cabanatuan City.

It is still not known if charges have been filed against the two.

Salonga, 24, studied BS Psychology at what is also known as UP-Clark.

Cadano, 22, has a degree in Business Management, also from UP-Clark
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The two were reportedly snatched by suspected elements of the 3rd Infantry Battalion riding in one red van and two white pick-up trucks at 3 p.m.

Central Luzon police: no abduction, we arrested rebels

The commander of the National Police's Central Luzon office, Chief Superintendent Raul Petrasanta, insisted that there was no abduction, but an arrest of two "rebels" by policemen on a mission to serve an arrest warrant on a man wanted for double murder  and attempted murder in Carranglan town.

Petrasanta said joint police and military forces were conducting the manhunt Saturday for Ely Taray alias Omeng in Sitio Pimma, Barangay TL Padilla, when they chanced upon the two rebels in the area.

The troops were from the 7th Military Intelligence Battalion, 3rdIB, Provincial Public Safety Company-Nueva Ecija Provincial Police Office, and Nueva Ecija Criminal Ivnestigation and Detection Team.

“The operation also yielded positive outcomes and resulted in the arrest of two members of the CPP/NPA/NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Fron),” Petrasanta said.

BAYAN-CL: They were abducted

But according to Bayan-Central Luzon secretary-general Eco Dangla, Gerald “Geary” Salonga and Guiller Martin Cadano were abducted by soldiers of the 3rd IB, forcibly loaded onto a white van that was escorted by two white pickup trucks at around 3 p.m. in said barangay.

In his Facebook page, Salonga, who celebrated his birthday on July 3, claimed he is a regional spokesperson of the Kabataan Party-list organization. He is a native of Mabalacat, Pampanga. Reportedly, Cadano is also a member of Kabataan.

But Petrasanta insisted the two were rebels arrested during the manhunt.

“Based on reports that reached my office, in the evening of August 9, 2014, operating troops implemented warrants of arrest for the crimes of double murder and attempted murder against Ely Taray alias Omeng in Sitio Pimma, Brgy TL Padilla, Carranglan,Nueva Ecija.

However, during said implementation when operating teams were approaching the target house, two male persons with backpacks hurriedly came out of the house and fled, which prompted the authorities to chase them,” he said.

“Suspects were immediately caught and were identified as Guiller Cadano y Martin alias Christian, 23, single of Baragay Kaypoan, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan and Gerald Salinga y Hernandez alias Matt, 23, married of Barangay Cutud, Angeles City, and both Platoon Guides (PG) of NE-NV-EP,” he added.

Authorities confiscated from them, according to Petrasanta, a 1 caliber .9mm pistol, Smith & Wesson with Serial Number U390575 with 1 mag loaded with 14 live rounds ammo; 1 cal .9mm Rugger pistol with defaced SN with 1 mag loaded with 23 live rounds ammo; 2 hand grenades; 2 handheld radios; assorted cellular phones; and voluminous subversive documents.

“Cadano and Salonga as well as the confiscated evidence are still at the headquarters of the 3rdIB for documentation and they are to be brought to the PPSC headquarters for investigation and disposition,” he said.

He said charges of violating Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Laws on Firearms) and Presidential Decree 916 (Illegal Possession of Explosives) will be filed against Cadano and Salonga.

In his Facebook page, Salonga, who just celebrated his birthday last July 3, also identified himself as the regional spokesperson of the Kabataan Party-list Organization. He hails from Mabalacat, Pampanga.

2 UP coeds abducted by soldiers still missing

In June 26, 2006, two female UP students, Karen Empeno and Sherlyn Cadapan, were abducted by suspected elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines under General Jovito Palparan. The two remain missing as of today, while Palparan is in hiding.

Dangla said “the systematic violation of human rights by the state continues under the administration of President Benigno Aquino III.”

Cases of enforced disappearances like those of Empeno and Cadapan eight years ago, and now of Salonga and Cadano, according to Dangla, are crimes against humanity that must not have space in a civilized and supposedly democratic country as the Philippines.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/92987/2-up-alumni-abducted-in-nueva-ecija