Task force to probe teener’s disappearance

MANILA, Philippines — Police are investigating the disappearance of a teenager in General Santos City two weeks ago.

Senior Superintendent Ruel Berango, city police chief, said a task force was created to look into the case of Phillip Bacudo, 19, who went missing after he was allegedly arrested near a police station along Mabuhay road on Nov. 10.

Initial reports showed Bacudo and his friends, all residents of Greenville Subdivision in Barangay Calumpang, went on a drinking spree at a beer joint near the Bulaong Terminal in Barangay North. 

Bacudo and his friends were riding a tricycle on their way home at around 1 a.m. when they were blocked by a gunman who was wearing a bonnet.

Witnesses said the tricycle driver sped off, but the gunman and a man wearing a police uniform who was driving a police car chased them. 

The alleged policeman reportedly caught up with Bacudo when the tricycle ran out of fuel and handcuffed him. The  companions of the teenager managed to hide in the bushes and escaped.

Bacudo was reportedly crying as the tricycle was tied to the police vehicle  and headed to  Police Station 4 in Barangay San Isidro.

The tricycle was later found in the compound of the police station.

When Bacudo’s parents Bernard and Susana reported the incident to the police, Chief Inspector Rexor Canoy and his deputy Senior Inspector Lemuel Enrijo denied that the teenager or any of his companions were brought to the police station.

The police officers said they only recovered the tricycle after receiving a call that it was abandoned elsewhere.

Bacudo’s parents said General Santos Mayor Ronnel Rivera has yet to act on their letter seeking assistance to   find their son.