Armed men abduct 2 cops in Surigao Norte

Maghari said the undetermined number of abductors used two Starex vans as getaway vehicles, which headed to the direction of the nearby town of Tubod. (Google maps)

SURIGAO CITY—Armed men in bonnets snatched two police officers in broad daylight while on duty at a busy intersection in Placer town, Surigao del Norte, at around 1 p.m. Monday.

Police Senior Supt. Anthony Maghari, police provincial director, identified the abducted policemen as PO2 John Paul Doverte and PO2 Alfredo Degamon, both members of Placer Municipal Police Station.

Maghari said the undetermined number of abductors used two Starex vans as getaway vehicles, which headed to the direction of the nearby town of Tubod.

A team of police and military personnel are currently on a hot pursuit as of this posting, the police official said.

Police sources said they suspect the New People’s Army (NPA) was involved, although the latter has yet to release a statement as of this posting.

In July last year, NPA combatants abducted four policemen in Malimono town, also in Surigao del Norte. The victims were released months later following negotiations led by local religious groups.

In February 2015, rebels released three police officers they kidnapped months earlier in Gigaquit town, Surigao del Norte, to then Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.