Wednesday, May 14, 2008 Army can't locate Manero By Ben O. Tesiorna
ARMY soldiers are still scouring the mountains of Davao City and Bukidnon in a bid to rescue the retired military man abducted by the New People's Army (NPA).
Master Sergeant Jose Manero, brother of controversial priest-killer Norberto Manero was abducted last Sunday in Calinan.
As of this writing Tuesday, the soldiers still have not found traces of retired Master Sergeant Jose Manero, brother of controversial priest-killer Norberto Manero.
Earlier reports claimed that rebels release Sergeant Manero but military authorities were saying this is untrue as they are still trying to locate him as of this writing.
Colonel Rolando Bautista, spokesman of the Philippine Army's 10th Infantry Division, confirmed they did receive information that Manero was released, but this claim was not verified, thus the military believe Manero is still a captive of the rebels.
Bautista said their rescue and hot pursuit operation against the group of Leoncio Pitao alias Kumander Parago is still ongoing.
When asked if the Manero brothers, Edel and Norberto, along with their armed supporters are also conducting their own rescue operation, Bautista refused to comment.
The Maneros were earlier quoted as saying that they will not stop running after the rebels until their brother is released safe and unharmed.
The Maneros are known anti-communist crusaders in North Cotabato back in the 80's and 90's.
Norberto was jailed for the death of Italian priest Tulio Favali in 1985 and was released in jail early this year.
His stay in the penitentiary was marked with controversies including instances when he was found to be out of detention and in the presence of high government officials.
The abduction of Norberto's brother, Jose, was said to be related to reports that the Maneros are here in Davao in a bid to revive the anti-communist Alsa Masa of the 1980s.
