Esmeraldo Lantaje Jr. a talent manager of Sta. Lucia, Pasig was "shocked" when he saw his estranged wife Querobin Ruiz Lantaje, march up to the presidential table just as the reception was about to start, said case investigator Police Officer 2 Alberto Sambilon.
Sambilon said Querobin showed up at the Pasay City police station at around 5:30 p.m. with a TV crew of a morning show in tow, seeking police assistance.
Showing a wedding invitation, Querobin said her husband of 12 years was scheduled to be married to one Ramona Cruz at the Coconut Palace grounds at the CCP Complex on Roxas Boulevard at 5 p.m.
Querobin, of Karuhatan, Valenzuela, showed her marriage certificate as proof. Criminal Investigation Division (CID) officer-in-charge Chief Inspector Simon Gonzales formed a team that proceeded to the reception venue.
The policemen posed as wedding photographers and members of the TV crew that will take footage of the event.
After the wedding mass, the guests, that included a former congressman who stood as principal sponsor, took their places at the reception. Just as Lantaje put his arm around the blushing bride, Querobin walked up to them and introduced herself as the groom’s legal wife, Sambilon said.
Police followed suit and tried to arrest Lantaje but principal sponsors Judge Leticia Sablan and Judge Manuel Padolina of the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) as well as a retired general intervened, police records showed.
The Coconut Palace management also asked the policemen and Querobin to leave the premises.
"That’s why we weren’t able to arrest Lantaje," Sambilon said. "Pero nataranta siya at pinagpawisan nang husto. He had to take off his wedding jacket."
Querobin told investigators that she married Lantaje in 1990 and separated from him seven years later. The separation was not made legal by any courts, Querobin said.
Sambilon said that after the police and Querobin left, the wedding reception was resumed. He learned that the newlyweds have gone off to their honeymoon.
Nevertheless, Querobin filed a formal complaint against Lantaje and Sambilon has prepared the necessary documents to be filed before the Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office.