‘lack of action’ from NBI, BCPO

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The family of retired Police Major Lito Pirote, who was abducted from Bacolod City’s Metro Inn last Good Friday, claim there has been a “lack of action” from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO). Cate Pirote, the police officer’s daughter, claimed they have not received any communication from either department.
She recently made a public appeal to find her father, while the family has been handing out flyers and distributing rosaries, which were reportedly found in their father’s vehicle on the day of the abduction.
While attending a family affair at the Bacolod City hotel, Pirote was dragged out and assaulted by 10 heavily-armed men wearing tactical gear and bonnets. The suspects disarmed the hotel’s security guards and ordered employees and guests to lie down on the floor. Witnesses also claimed the former police officer tried to resist, but one of the suspects struck him in the head with their firearm.
The victim was then pushed inside a white Toyota HiAce van, with plate number YS-4514, which immediately sped northwards.
Pirote retired from the service earlier this year and was previously assigned under the Philippine National Police Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group.
He was also one of the seven cops President Rodrigo Duterte claimed were involved with a drug matrix.
In addition, Pirote was previously charged by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for alleged links with the P11 billion drug shipment intercepted at the Manila International Container Port and in Cavite.
The case, however, was later dismissed./DGB, WDJ