Cops, barangays alerted on organizer's abduction

CEBU, Philippines —  The authorities are looking into the reported abduction of a farmers group's community organizer in Bantayan last Saturday night.

Police Colonel Roderick Mariano, Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO) Director, said they have received a report of the abduction of community organizer Elena Tijamo at around 9:40 p.m. from the barangay captain of Kampingganon.

"Pumunta siya mismo sa estasyon at ini-report ang sinasabing alleged abduction incident," Mariano said.

Patrick Torres, executive director of the Central Visayas Farmers Development Center (FARDEC), said the victim's sister contacted him saying that she was taken from their home in Barangay Kampingganon, Bantayan, Cebu by men carrying firearms .

"Ang na-estorya ra gyud sa iyang igsoon nga nitawag nako kay giadto ang ilang balay og mga lalaki nga nagdala og taas na armas," Torres said via chat.

Tijamo’s family reportedly struggled against the armed men, but they were still able to take her.

The abduction reportedly took place at around 8 a.m. last June 13.

At around 9 p.m. on that day, Torres updated The FREEMAN that Tijamo was able to contact her daughter. Tijamo reportedly said she was safe and that she would be allowed to return home that same night.

She was not able to give any other details in the brief phone call.

Torres and the rest of FARDEC waited for news on Tijamo’s return that night, however, she failed to return home.

Yesterday, FARDEC personnel had coordinated with the Commission on Human Rights and the Bantayan LGU to get a hold of Tijamo.

As of press time, even with coordination from FARDEC members in neighboring communities, they are still unable to contact her or know the reason why she was taken.

"Worried lang mi sa iyang safety kay last November gi-tag mi as terrorist front sa House Committee on National Security Hearing kuyog sa Oxfam ug National Council of Churches," he said via chat.

The police said they are now investigating the incident.

"The action taken natin immediately after nung incident, yung ating mga kapulisan ay nag-respond kaagad at nag-coordinate kaagad doon sa other police stations," said Mariano.

He added that they are looking for witnesses who could lead or identify the men behind the abduction. Their forces were already directed to be on alert status around the area.

Mariano also said that the coastal barangays in the island were alerted and were directed to stay alert.

He added that they are not also discounting the possibility that her abduction could be connected to her job as an organizer of a farmer's group.

FARDEC is a non-profit, non-government organization that offers paralegal and educational services to farmers facing land issues.  GAN (FREEMAN)