A sister of the wife of former Manila Rep. Mark Jimenez, who was reportedly abducted Wednesday morning by a group of unidentified men, said they will ask the Philippine National Police (PNP) to help rescue her.
Rose Castañeda Flaminiano said they will seek assistance from the top officials of the PNP, led by PNP chief Director General Oscar Calderon, so that her sister, Carol Castañeda, 46, can be saved as soon as possible.
“There were members of the SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics)-Makati sent to the rehabilitation center, where she is said to have been brought and confined,” Flaminiano said.
“However, they were prevented from entering the center’s premises even if they brought with them an order issued by the Taguig City Regional Trial Court aimed at protecting Carol.”
Castañeda’s sister also said that when Jimenez is involved in a controversy, the police and the military distance themselves.
“It cannot always be this way. Nothing will happen. We will always be the victims here,” Flaminiano said in an interview.
Earlier reports said eight to 10 men took Castañeda in Makati City as she was about to leave for a court hearing on her petition for a permanent protection order against Jimenez Wednesday morning. Her temporary protection order against Jimenez lapsed on Sunday.
Castañeda’s abductors brought her to the Silvercrest Rehabilitation Center in Parañaque City. Jimenez’s niece, Diana Crespo, is part-owner of the rehabilitation facility.
“We fear for her (Carol) safety, as we’ve heard that she was all alone in the center. There is no one else confined there,” Flaminiano said.
Jimenez, who is accused of physically and verbally abusing his wife and 13-year-old son, allegedly had a hand in the “kidnapping” because Castañeda, who was already under the care of a family therapist, was taken despite the permanent protection order issued by the court.
Jimenez denied that he ordered people to “kidnap” his wife. He said he only turned over his wife to the care of specially trained people capable of treating her.
He said his wife was taking “prohibited drugs” and blamed her addiction for causing their family troubles. – Rhodina Villanueva