BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The police yesterday dismissed the series of abduction incidents in Negros Occidental as isolated cases.
PLt. Judesses Catalogo, spokesperson of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, yesterday said that he believes that two incidents were perpetrated by different suspects, as he also ruled out for now that an organized crime group was behind it.
The decomposing body of a victim who was reportedly abducted on July 21 outside the Bacolod Silay Airport in Brgy. Bagtic, Silay City, was found buried in a shallow grave on July 31, at Purok Katilingban in Brgy. Vista Alegre, Bacolod City.
According to the Police Station 7, the victim was identified by his family through the “HGL” tattoo on his right forearm, as Alex Soberano, 51, who was previously detained for violation of RA 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002.
Soberano was reportedly forced into a van, upon arrival from Manila, based on the testimony of the victim’s son, according to the police.
Also on July 31, a businessman identified as William Chua Jr. reported to the police that he was able to escape from his abductors, while on his way home, at Gallo Street in Brgy. 1B, Manapla, Negros Occidental.
Chua told the Manapla police that he was waylaid, handcuffed and forced him into a black Sports Utility Vehicle by about five unidentified persons who were wearing bonnets.
The victim said he managed to escape and reported the incident to the Manapla Police Station.
Catalogo said that the suspect behind another abduction incident in Kabankalan City was already identified, but the victim is not pressing charges.*
