Husband files kidnap charges against wife

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) today filed criminal charges against a woman for forcibly taking his husband to a psychiatrist.

Christine Tan Sy, who was arrested by the NBI agents in an operation last Wedneday, was charged with kidnapping and serious illegal detention before the Cebu City Prosecutors’ Office.

Also impleaded in the case were Sy’s lawyer Benjamin Negapatan; Michael Plaza, a nurse at the psychiatric office where the victim was brought; and at least five unidentified men who introduced themselves as police officers–all of whom remain at large.

Based on the investigation, NBI Assistant Director Augusto Isidoro said Sy ordered the abduction of his husband Francisco.

“The respondents could not present any court order or a warrant of arrest to validate their act in taking the victim to a psychiatrist,” he told reporters yesterday.

“Anyone is prohibited from taking another person against his will. Depriving anyone of his liberty is illegal. That’s tantamount to kidnapping,” he added.

When presented before Prosecutor Rogelio Del Prado this afternoon, Sy decided to avail of a preliminary investigation so she could file a counter-affidavit and refute the allegations.

Francisco, a businessman, was seen taken by unidentified men at his residence and store in Holy Family Village in barangay Banilad, Cebu City past 2 p.m. last Wednesday.

The village security guard testified that Francisco was dragged into a van by around five men who wore shorts and T-shirts.

Three store employees also said the unidentified respondents handcuffed the victim before the latter was forcibly placed inside the van.

The three witnesses were able to take photos and videos of the abduction with the use of their cellphones.

Francisco’s wife and his lawyer Negapatan were present during the incident.
A customer at Francisco’s store was able to contact the NBI for help.

The agents proceeded to psychiatric facility in Subangdaku, Mandaue City where the victim was brought.

When the NBI arrived, Francisco was “hogtied” in a chair and was about to be brought inside one of the rooms of a psychiatric facility.

In his affidavit, Francisco said he tried to contact his lawyer but was prohibited by his alleged abductors.

He said he and his wife decided to part ways three years after the latter filed an annulment case against him. Their two children is under his custody.

Francisco said his wife might be mad at him since he refused to settle an adultery case he earlier filed before the NBI.

Sought for comment, the wife admitted that she wanted to bring Francisco to the psychiatrist.

“He (Francisco) has been so violent. He ordered our children to shot me. There was also a time when he threw stones at my car,” Sy said.

Francisco was allegedly hospitalized for a month due to panic disorder and depression.

Sy said the psychiatrist recommended to bring Francisco to the clinic for medical assessment.

Francisco lawyer Danilo Yap said Sy’s act in forcibly taking his client to a psychiatric clinic is illegal.

“What they did was not right. He was tied up, handcuffed, and dragged. And those who took him had no court order or a warrant. The manner by which he was seized was illegal and unauthorized,” he said.

Yap said they will also file charges against the psychiatrist who they have yet to identify.