SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Philippines — Two youth activists were reportedly kidnapped while posting campaign materials of senatorial candidate Neri Colmenares in Barangay Sta. Cruz, Angat, Bulacan on Saturday.
Kadamay organizer John Griefen Arlegui, 20, and Anakbayan organizer Reynaldo Remias Jr., 24, were reportedly forced into a red car by unidentified men along the Angat-Pandi road at around 11 a.m. The victims remained missing yesterday.
Kadamay said personnel of the 48th Infantry Battalion were behind the kidnapping.
Anakpawis party-list Rep. Ariel Casilao urged authorities to ensure the immediate release of the victims.
“We demand that Arlegui and Remias be surfaced immediately. Only state forces will have the motive to kidnap these young activists, who are participating in activities related to the upcoming national elections,” Erlinda Cadapan, Desaparecidos chairperson, said.
“Taking away people in broad daylight, in open spaces where they are seen by many people, is the same old, dirty tactic they have used against desaparecidos, our loved ones who went missing under previous regimes. This is an act of cowardice of the highest kind, believing they can sow fear and terror by kidnapping and enforced disappearance,” Cadapan added.
Arlegui and Remias are both residents of housing units occupied by Kadamay in Pandi, Bulacan. – With Rhodina Villanueva