Ex-solon, nanny face kidnapping, illegal possession of guns, VAWC

CEBU, Philippines - A string of criminal complaints was filed before the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office against a former congressman from Bacolod City.

The complaints include kidnapping with serious illegal detention, illegal possession of firearms and violence against women and their children. The ex-congressman’s estranged partner, who is a resident of Lipata, Minglanilla, filed the complaints on Friday.

The Freeman withheld the names of the parties in the case due to the confidentiality rule under the Republic Act 9262, otherwise known as the violence against women and their children. The complainant said she just wanted to get her son back.

 The complainant alleged the former congressman has kidnapped their 3-year-old son in connivance with the nanny, who was also included in the complaint.

“It was at this point that I became alarmed about the whereabouts of my son, I called up the two cellular phones of the co-accused nanny, but both of her phones could not be reached,” the complainant’s affidavit read.

According to the complainant, one of her relatives in Japan communicated with the nanny through Facebook and asked for the whereabouts of the child. The nanny allegedly replied that the child is with his father.

The complainant said that considering her son was only 3 years old she applied for a Temporary Protection Order at the Regional Trial Court in Mandaue City, which was granted by Judge Teresita Galanida.

“After reading the petition and its annex, the court is convinced that the defendant has committed acts characterized as violence against women and children under Section 5(e)(1), (2), (3), (4) and Section 5(i) of RA 9262 which warrant the issuance of this temporary protection order which shall be effective for thirty days from the date hereof,” the order read.

However, the court order could not be served on the respondent because he is nowhere to be found. When the complainant together with the police tried to serve the TPO on February 5, they were told that the respondents together with the child have left for Manila.

The complainant said her former live-in partner has violated R.A. 9262 for depriving her of the custody of her son.

During the implementation of the TPO at their residence in Sto. Niño Village, Cebu City, several firearms and ammunitions, as well as gun accessories reportedly owned by the respondent were found and were surrendered to the police. (FREEMAN)