Lawyers of former Manila Rep. Mark Jimenez’s wife are now struggling to find a way to rescue their client from a rehabilitation center in Parañaque City where she is allegedly being held against her will.
Police tried to enter the premises yesterday afternoon but were denied entry despite a Permanent Protection Order (PPO) issued by the Taguig City Regional Trial Court (RTC).
Carol Castañeda, 46, was allegedly abducted from her house at the Tuscany Condominium in Makati City yesterday morning as she was about to leave for a court hearing.
Those who took her brought her to the Silvercrest Rehabilitation Center located at No. 7 Hechanova Street corner Pablo Roman, BF Homes, Parañaque City.
Jimenez, who is being accused of physically and verbally abusing his wife and 13-year-old son, allegedly had a hand in the “kidnapping” because Castañeda, who was already under the care of a family therapist, was taken inspite of the court order, and against her will, family members said.
“She is inside,” lawyer Sonia Castillo, one of Castañeda’s lawyers, told The STAR in an interview after police failed to rescue their client.
According to Castillo, Jimenez’s niece, Diana Crespo, is a part owner of the rehabilitation facility along with one Chichi Silverio.
“We were able to get a court order directing the Makati SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) and barangay officials to rescue Carol but they were not allowed to enter. They padlocked the gate,” Castillo said.
In a radio interview, Jimenez denied that his wife was “kidnapped” upon his orders.
“I got my wife with the help of people who are specially trained to treat her and take care of her (drug) rehabilitation,” Jimenez said.
He claimed that his wife has been taking “prohibited drugs” and blamed her addiction as the cause of their family troubles.
“What is important is that she is in good hands but some people, including some businessmen, and even my own family members, were out to get me through her,” he said.