GENERAL SANTOS CITY – The city police has expanded its search outside of Region 12 (Soccsksargen) for the eight individuals here who have remained missing since April.
Lt. Col. Ruelito Lumiguid, operation division chief of the city police office, said the search operation for the missing persons is still ongoing as of Thursday through a composite task force commissioned by their office in August.
He said there has been no major development so far regarding the cases but the task force is currently pursuing a number of leads and has already gathered at least 16 affidavits from witnesses and relatives of the victims.
“We are verifying all information and leads that we receive and we have gone as far as Bukidnon in trying to locate some of them,” he told reporters.
Lumiguid said they have come up with the computerized facial composite of persons who were last seen with the missing persons and considered as suspects in their disappearance.
He said they already forwarded copies of the facial composite to concerned investigation and intelligence agencies and units in the area.
Among those who were believed abducted was 17-year-old Patrick Peconcillo of Barangay Katangawan who was last seen by family members and friends last April 20.
Also missing are Armando Grajo, 46; Ralph Jovani Soriano, 16; Angel Gahiton, 14; Emmanuel James Galon; Joseph Formentera Guanzon, 18; Jefferson Garay Quita, 16; and, John Mark Obeda Impang, 19.
Bianca Grajo, daughter of cockpit worker Armando, said in an interview that they are still hoping that her father is still alive and well.
She said they lost contact with him sometime in April and have no idea of his status.
“We’re still positive that he will return home someday,” she said in the vernacular.
Grajo, who is from Barangay San Isidro, reportedly left their home just to buy some food but has not returned since.
Col. Gilberto Tuzon, city police director, earlier assured they will not stop the search until they exhaust all available options.
He said they have coordinated with the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit-12 to help trace any recent social media activities of the missing individuals. (PNA)
