And while Canti was missing, the chairman of the village, Domingo Choc along with the deputy Alcalde and three other men were picked up by police. According to Choc, the police told him it was for his safety. That's after a mob of villagers showed up at his home with stones, slingshots, and machetes. However, when he got to the police station, he said he was treated like a criminal. Choc spoke with us via Zoom this afternoon.
Domingo Choc, Chairman, Indian Creek
"I'm concerned that the police department did not show me any safety regards. Instead I was criminally treated and my rights were violated."
"I want to put on record, I have no idea about it. Now with all the serious allegations and defamation, I will seek legal advice because my family was extremely traumatized with all the vandalizing and terrorizing that they faced at my residence."
"With all the proof of innocence that we showed the authorities, the police, so they released us yesterday evening and all of us work and Mr Anselmo Cholom was questioned, his employer was called and told the police that he was present at his workplace. And the rest of the persons who were detained also have proof to show that they were at work. So that's why they released us."
"On the news I have read that he was found safe, alive, and well, and I thank God for that."
Reporter
"I know the village is divided, you have persons who side with Alcalde and persons who don't. What would be your message to the villagers as the chairman if indeed they had planned this abduction?"
Domingo Choc, Chairman, Indian Creek
"To be honest, on the role and responsibility that I carry, I don't advise anything in that way to lead us into doing such things. That's why I always advise my council when we have a public meeting, we always stay calm and that's what it leads us and where we are."
