KIDAPAWAN CITY -- Kidapawan Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo said the wife of an abducted police officer was laid to her final resting place without her husband.
The bishop said efforts were exerted to convince the terrorist New Peoples Army (NPA) to free Sr. Insp. Menard Cui to attend the burial of his wife, Florelie, last Friday. Cui was abducted last 28 Dec. 2017 while his wife died of cancer on Dec. 31.
“Our efforts continue so Inspector Cui could be freed soon,” Bagaforo told the Philippine News Agency.
The prelate has formed a crisis management committee, headed by Fr. Pol Paracha, to work for the safe release of Cui who was kidnapped by the terrorists inside a KTV Bar in Barangay Poblacion, President Roxas, North Cotabato.
Cui, the deputy town police chief, was believed to have been brought to the hinterlands of Magpet, also in North Cotabato.
Felomina Cui, mother in law of Florelie, said the family sought the help of Bagaforo in their desire to have Cui in the final hours of Florelie before her burial.
Florelie expired in a hospital in Kidapawan City two days after she was informed by the Pres. Roxas Municipal Police Office that her husband was kidnapped.
Felomina said Florelie's health condition deteriorated due to the incident.
“She was buried on Friday morning in Magpet, North Cotabato,” Supt. Bernard Tayong, speaking for the North Cotabato police, said.
Bagaforo expressed sadness that Cui failed to attend the burial of his wife.
“We were hoping, we expect him to be with his family on Friday morning but that did not happen,” he said. (PNA)
