Camarines gov appeals for wife’s safety

CAMARINES NORTE, Philippines – Gov. Edgardo Tallado is appealing to those holding his wife and her friend captive not to hurt them.

“Please spare my wife,” Tallado posted on his Facebook account after his wife Josefina and her friend, Darlene Francisco, failed to return home last Friday.

Tallado reiterated the appeal during a press conference at his office yesterday. He said he tried calling his wife on her cell phone but received no response.

The governor said his family has no known enemy and had not received any threats.

He expressed hope that Josefina and Francisco are still alive and unhurt. He has asked the Department of the Interior and Local Government to help look for the women.

Josefina, 43, chairman of the Philippine Red Cross provincial chapter, and Francisco were last seen in a Toyota Fortuner (PRI-744) heading toward Vinzons town at around 2:10 p.m. last Friday.

Police Officer 1 Michael Lubiano of the Vinzons police said Josefina called him and told him to wait for them in the town, but they did not show up.

The Fortuner was found in Lupi town, Camarines Sur on Saturday.

Investigators recovered a match, a burnt umbrella, a pillow and a piece of cotton soaked in oil inside the vehicle. – With Celso Amo