Fortuner used by missing wife of Camarines Norte governor found

The vehicle used by the missing wife of the Camarines Norte governor and her friend has been found. The black Toyota Fortuner was found abandoned Saturday by the police in Napolidan, Lupi, Camarines Sur.

Camarines Norte Gov. Edgardo “Egay” Tallado confirmed Sunday that his wife, Josie, 43, and her friend Darlene Francisco failed to return to their home in Labo, Camarines Norte, after they left Friday afternoon aboard the Fortuner.

Tallado said police have launched a round-the-clock search for his wife and Francisco and he could only pray and hope that nothing bad happened to them.

Tallado said his wife and her friend were going to Barangay (village) 3 in Vinzons town, the neighboring town of Labo, to meet with some village officials.

He said his wife called PO1 Michael Lubiano, the police officer in Vinzons town, around 3 p.m. on Friday to inform the policeman that they were on their way to Barangay 3 of the town and would need security.

The governor said he was told by Lubiano that the latter waited for the two women in the village but when they did not show up by 7 p.m., Lubiano tried calling them through the cell phone of Francisco but he could no longer reached them.

Tallado said his wife’s vehicle was found around 9 a.m. on Saturday in the town of Lupi in the neighboring province of Camarines Sur. Lupi is about 30 minutes by car from Vinzons.

The nearest point going to Lupi, which is located on the other side of Labo, is about 40 kilometers. One must pass through the old road in Camarines Norte going to Manila, passing through the town of Sta. Elena to reach the Quirino Highway. With report by Juan Escandor Jr.