Man wants custody of children for P64-M?

A man accused of possessing illegal drugs and who was acquitted of charges he kidnapped his wife is now seeking to recover the custody of his two children.

Rafael Engle, who was detained at the Manila City Jail on kidnapping charges in connection with the Aug. 10, 1995 disappearance, under suspicious circumstances, of his wife Daisy Mañalac Engle, served his brother-in-law Ricardo Mañalac a writ for habeas corpus seeking the physical presentation of his son Oliver, 15, and daughter, Stephanie, 12, for the purpose of having them remanded to his custody.

Custody of the children were awarded to their maternal grandmother, Delia Morales. However, with Morales’ death in December last year, custody passed on to Mañalac, their uncle.

Before her disappearance, Daisy, feared dead by her family, was believed to have purchased properties and made investments in business ventures reportedly estimated at a total value of P64 million in 1995. Her estate remains in escrow.

Daisy’s family has expressed concern over the welfare of the children should they be remanded to their father’s custody, in light of the fact that Engle was charged with possession of illegal drugs while in jail, among other things.

They also aired suspicion that Engle is after his wife’s fortune and may intend to use his children to gain access to it. The hearing of the custody case is set today.