COTABATO CITY– After almost four months in captivity, a police intelligence officer abducted by communist rebels in North Cotabato was freed Monday by his captors to local facilitators that included nuns and priests.
Police Officer 1 Bristol Catalan, intelligence officer of Makilala town police office, was released by the New People’s Army (NPA) Mt. Apo Sub-Regional Command in Southern Mindanao in Barangay Bagumbayan, Magpet, North Cotabato at about 12 noon.
Catalan was snatched by NPA rebels last August 16 in Barangay Katipunan, Kidapawan City. He was driving a motorbike to send his children to school when the rebels blocked his path and abducted him.
Chief Inspector Aldrin Gonzalez, spokesperson for the Police Regional Office-12, said Catalan was emotional when he met with his wife Jessa.
Lt. Col. Harold Argamosa of the Army’s 39th Infantry Battalion said the release of Catalan was made possible through the intercession of preachers and nuns led by Kidapawan Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo.
Argamosa said local officials also helped negotiate the release of Catalan.
Gonzalez said the North Cotabato provincial police office will provide Catalan psycho-social intervention needed to hasten his recovery from his captivity by the NPA. Catalan is yet to issue statement detailing his captivity as officials said he was given ample time to be with his family. (PNA)
