Task force to probe Batangas kidnappings

MANILA, Philippines — A special investigation task group has been created to look into the case of a 34-year-old man who has been missing since he was snatched in Lian, Batangas on Aug. 5.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. ordered the Batangas police to deepen its investigation into the incident.

Rodrigo Catibog was on a motorcycle with his girlfriend when unidentified men dragged him to a sport utility vehicle in Barangay Bungahan. The SUV was last seen headed toward Barangay Poblacion.

Azurin also ordered the Calabarzon police to speed up its probe into the kidnapping of delivery rider Eugene del Rosario in Taal town.

Del Rosario was later found dead in Sariaya, Quezon.

“We are now tracing CCTV (closed-circuit television camera) footage to link the events especially during the time when the victim was kidnapped,” Azurin said.

In Central Luzon, regional police director Brig. Gen. Cezar Pasiwen belied reports that unidentified men in a white van are trying to snatch children.

”The police is taking part in educating our people to be more aware of the true situation... so that they would be able to distinguish between fact and fake news,” Pasiwen said.

He reminded those who share unverified reports on the consequence of their actions.

Pasiwen urged the public to report to the nearest police station or through the official social media account of the PNP if they have verified information about kidnappings and other crimes.