Witness contradicts pastor's allegations

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Police Office has finally turned over the investigation into the case of alleged abduction of the wife of a religious leader to the Presidential Anti-Crime Emergency Response.

CCPO director Patrocinio Comendador, Jr. said they turned over the case after a witness surfaced and issued “very significant” allegations that contradict the claims of Leonardo Jastiva, Sr., national president of the International Missionary Society of Seventh-Day Adventist Church Reform Movement, who claimed unknown men had kidnapped his wife, Judith Jastiva.

Police said the witness, whose identity is being held confidential for security reasons, issued statements regarding the alleged abduction under oath yesterday.

The witness told police he saw a blue 1980s model Mitsubishi Lancer that was properly parked alongside of the road that contradicted Leonardo’s claim that the vehicle blocked their path.

The witness added he passed by the area twice where he saw Jastiva and a woman, presumed to be Judith, along with around three or four men who were all in polo shirts and were talking casually. He added there was no commotion during the incident.

Comendador said he forwarded the case to the PACER in hopes that the said national support unit of Camp Crame could find other evidences other than what was told by the witness.

According to Comendador, their evidence is not complete and it is difficult for them to establish if it was really a case of kidnapping. The CCPO will however support the PACER in regarding the case.

The police official added the elevation of the case to PACER would also be fair to Jastiva after some insinuations that what happened was a case of “kidnap me.” Although it is difficult to establish the motive yet, Comendador said Judith could be considered “missing.”

For his part, Jastiva told police that the witness could be a member of the rival group, the Seventh-Day Adventist Reform Movement, which just wanted to destroy his name.

Comendador however said the said witness is not a believer of the said religion.

Jastiva also told CCPO yesterday that he will no longer talk or coordinate with PACER during its investigation. He also refused to grant further interviews with the members of the media. — Niña Chrismae G. Sumacot/WAB(THE FREEMAN)