Pastor to keep mum on wife's abduction

CEBU, Philippines - Pastor Leonardo Jastiva, Sr. said he would just remain silent and wait for the investigation by the police into the alleged abduction of his wife, Judith, last Monday night in barangay Labangon.

“Gusto ko magpaka-hilom na lang usa. Hulaton na lang nako ang resulta. Naga-lihok na man sad ang atong kapulisan,” Jastiva said over dySS yesterday morning.

Jastiva, national president of the International Missionary Society of Seventh-Day Adventist Church Reform Movement, claimed that last Monday night he was walking with his wife along P. Abella St. when a blue Mitsubishi Lancer blocked their path and three men got out and took his wife.

Jastiva said he was shocked by the incident that he could not remember the faces of the abductors as his concentration was only on his wife who was being taken away. But he said one of them was allegedly wearing a gray t-shirt and armed with a .38 cal. revolver.

As reported yesterday, Cebu City Police Office Director Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Comendador, Jr. said that a man who passed by P. Abella St. twice last Monday night saw Jastiva and a woman, presumed to be Judith, talking casually with around three or four men who were all in polo shirts.

The witness also said a Mitsubishi Lancer was parked nearby and that there was no commotion whatsoever.

Jastiva also clarified yesterday that the Mitsubishi Lancer was not totally blocking their path.

He also requested the media not to disturb him at this time as he wants peace of mind.

Jastiva also asked the witness to tell the truth and called on the two men who helped him by calling for police assistance, a certain “Jun-Jun” who drove a motorcycle and the other one who was driving a car, to contact him and testify on the incident.

Jastiva also alleged he received threats through text messages; the most recent was on November 22 and January 5. Someone also called him around 3 and 4 a.m. within those times.

He alleged that prior to the said dates, some members of a rival group, the Seventh-Day Adventist Reform Movement, sent him text messages merely “expressing what the sender feels.”

Earlier reports said rivalry between the religious groups is being considered a motive in the abduction. — Niña Chrismae G. Sumacot/BPR   (THE FREEMAN)