THE Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Noppo) said they had not received any reports regarding supposed death threats received by a former rebel after his abduction and release by another rebel group last month.
Noppo acting head Samuel Nacion said police are not tracking the whereabouts of Cirilo Bagnoran ever since police visited him a few days after his release.
“We found him at his home. He is safe,” he said, adding that it was the last time the police had a contact with Bagnoran.
Bagnoran, a member of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB), was abducted by the New People's Army (NPA) on December 10. He was released on December 25.
Nacion said police investigators located Bagnoran after his release. The former rebel told police that the NPA released him on the condition that he will leave the RPA-ABB. He did not inform police about death threats.
The police chief urged Bagnoran to communicate with his office if the reported death threats are true.
“He has to coordinate with the police about his concern. We will assess if there’s a threat then we will give assistance,” Nacion said.
The RPA-ABB, formerly a rebel group, is in talks with the Philippine government to transform them into a legitimate socio-economic and political organization called "Kapatiran para sa Progressong Panlipunan". Its members are being reintegrated into mainstream society.
Last December 10, 50 NPA rebels attacked the chicken farm where Bagnoran worked. The farm was owned by RPA-ABB leader Rene “Maco” Europa in Hacienda Jamandre, Barangay Robles, La Castellena town.
Bagnoran and Europa were tagged in the murders of Cristie Florendia of Kasilingan Village, La Castellana, and Elmer Macurba of Barangay Manlak, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, in 2012. Marchel P. Espina