Car of missing Laguna policewoman found in Batangas

SAN PEDRO CITY—The car of a missing policewoman from Laguna province turned up on a roadside in Talisay town in Batangas province on Tuesday afternoon, police said on Wednesday.

Senior Insp. Reynaldo Vitto, police chief of Calauan town in Laguna, said residents noticed the car, a black Toyota Vios (plate WIT 292), abandoned in Barangay (village) Banga in Talisay at 5 p.m. Tuesday.

But Vitto said they did not find any clue that would lead them to its owner, SPO2 Ma. Cristina Marfil, who has been missing since Friday night.

He said police noticed a dent on the front bumper of the car and its wheels were covered in mud.

Marfil’s father, retired police officer Arturo Marfil, confirmed that the car belonged to his daughter.

SPO2 Marfil, a member of the intelligence unit of the Calauan police, was last seen at 8 p.m. Friday when she reported for duty at the police station.

Arturo told investigators that his daughter did not come home to Biñan City in Laguna the following day.

Arturo, on Tuesday, sought the help of the National Bureau of Investigation to find his daughter, saying he did not trust the police in handling the search.

In a telephone interview, Arturo said there could be higher ranking police officers involved in his daughter’s disappearance.

He said his daughter was being “set up,” but declined to discuss details.

Vitto said the police are conducting its own search.

He said Marfil had a record of going on absence without official leave (Awol), a reason she was transferred from Biñan City to Victoria town, and finally to Calauan, about a month ago.

In a telephone interview, Senior Supt. Joel Pernito, Laguna provincial police director, said Marfil was suspected of involvement in the illegal drug trade and in the killing of a fellow policeman in Biñan in April.