By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The father of the 13-year-old witness in the ‘Sagay 9’ incident is considering filing kidnapping charges against members of local human rights organization Karapatan-Negros after they reportedly took his son into custody.

In a PTV news report, Philippine National Police (PNP) Director-General Oscar Albayalde revealed the father’s intentions after members of Karapatan-Negros purportedly took the minor from Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) custody.

Karapatan-Negros earlier tried to take custody of the minor when two individuals, introducing themselves as the minor’s grandparents, and a lawyer attempted to claim him from the police station.

After their initial attempt failed, the group returned last Thursday with the minor’s mother and the minor was then turned over.

According to Albayalde, the minor was removed from the custody without consent from his father.

Police Regional Office-6 (PRO-6) earlier announced they had filed murder charges against the alleged suspects in the incident.

Two of the suspects were identified as Rene Manlangit and Rogelio Arquillo, both of whom were named as National Federation of Sugar Workers members.

Investigations by police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, as part of “Oplan: Bunkalan/Okupasyon,” also unveiled New People’s Army involvement, although this was denied by the rebel group./DGB, WDJ