Sunday, December 02, 2007 Youth leader in Escalante missing By Erwin Ambo S. Delilan
A 17-YEAR-OLD youth leader in Barangay Libertad, Escalante City was reported missing Thursday night.
Lyn-Lyn Diaz, Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairman in Barangay Libertad, was reportedly "abducted" by two motor-riding men at her boarding house in Sagay City Monday night.
Diaz is studying Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) at Northern Negros State College (NONESCO) in Sagay City.
Nelson Diaz, Lyn-Lyn's father, told Sun.Star-Bacolod through phone interview that they were shocked when their daughter's board mate told them Thursday that Lyn-Lyn were picked up by two motor-riding men Monday and until now hasn't returned yet.
Lyn-Lyn's father said the younger Diaz texted her lady board mate informing that she's okay right now, but need to be confined in a certain place because of the hotly contested election for SK Federation in Escalante City on December 6.
Escalante City has two contenders for SKF president: Manguilimutan of Barangay Balintawak, and April Ocdinaria of Barangay Washington.
Mr. Diaz said upon learning the disappearance of his daughter, he went to the houses of the two contenders for SKF president. The Ocdinarias clarified that they haven't taken Lyn-Lyn for the sake of politics.
The Manguilimutan, on the other hand, threatened MR. Diaz to charge him in court if he will accuse the lady councilor of allegedly harboring the SK chairman.
Manguilimutan promised to Mr. Diaz to talk to Lyn-Lyn as early (today) no matter what will happen.
Escalante City Mayor Melecio Yap called on to all Escalantehanons to value peace.
Yap said City Administrator Rolando Ponsica, with the assistance of the City Social Welfare and Development Office, has already moved to rescue Lyn-Lyn as soon as possible.
"I trust my City Administrator and our CSWDO. I know they can rescue Lyn-Lyn the soonest time possible," the mayor said.
The mayor added, " I want the battle between Ocdinaria and Manguilitan be exciting and not deadly."
"The parents of both youth leaders are also my die-hard supporters. And each is aking my help now. So not to hurt anyone's feeling, I decided to declare free zone (Sona Libre) for Ocdinaria-Diaz tiff," Yap added.
The mayor also vowed to refer the matter to the police for proper action.
