Dr. Naty Castro being detained in Bayugan City —PNP

Doctor Natividad Castro, who was arrested on Friday on charges of kidnapping and illegal detention, has been detained at the local police station in Bayugan City, the Police said a day after her whereabouts had been kept from her family until Saturday.

"After proper documentation and booking procedure upon her arrest in San Juan City on Friday morning, she was immediately flown to Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur where she is presently detained," PNP-PIO chief Police Brigadier General Roderick Augustus Alba said in a statement.

"As a Person Under Police Custody (PUPC), and upon her request, she was provided with Hygiene Kit, clothes and toiletries, while the local office of the Commission on Human Rights [has] been duly informed of her present status," Alba added.

Castro will then be presented before the Regional Trial Court Branch 7 of Bayugan City for proper disposition.

Authorities said Castro is wanted by the law to stand trial in Criminal Case No. 6527.

The PNP however clarified that Castro's alleged membership with the local communist movement was not the basis of her arrest, but her alleged criminal actions that constitute participation in a case of kidnapping with serious illegal detention.

"Citing the report from PRO (Police Regional Office) 13, the arrest of Maria Natividad Castro is the result of a regular police operation pursuant to the Warrant of Arrest issued on January 30, 2022 by Hon. Fernando R. Fudalan, Acting Presiding Judge, 10th Judicial Region, Regional Trial Court, Branch 7, Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur," Alba said.

Since Friday and until this Saturday, Dr. Naty's family had not known where the police took her.   

On Friday, Menchi Castro, younger sister of Dr. Naty, told GMA News Online that they have not received a word from authorities about here sister's whereabouts and condition, several hours after the arrest.

Earlier, Police said Castro is a ranking member of the Communist Party of the Philippines and facing kidnapping and serious illegal detention charges.

Confirmation of custody

Interviewed by GMA News' JP Soriano, Police Major Dorothy Tumulak of the Regional Public Information Office-13 confirmed Castro is already in the Bayugan City Police Station custodial facility.

Citing their records, Tumulak said Castro was allegedly involved in the kidnapping of a certain man who is a member of the Civilian Active Auxiliary on December 29, 2018 in Sibagat, Agusan del Sur.

Thus according to Tumulak, Castro is a priority target of the PNP's Manhunt Charlie, an operation undertaken to arrest "wanted" persons.

Tumulak maintained enough evidence was presented in the court to arrest Castro.

"We believe kasi kung lumabas ang warrant niya, ibig sabihin may probable cause, enough 'yung evidence na na-present doon sa korte during sa filing na charges (We believe because if her warrant was issued, it means there is a probable cause, enough evidence was presented to the court during the filing of charges)," she said.

The PNP said it respects the statement of Castro's family that the doctor could not have participated in any kidnapping activity since she was taking care of her ailing mother.

"Opinion kasi nila 'yun. Irespeto po namin 'yung opinion nila, but ang [task] ng police is nag-implement kami ng warrant of arrest kasi utos ng korte (That's their opinion. We will respect their opinion, but the task of the police is to implement a warrant of arrest because the court ordered it)," Tumulak said.

Tumulak said the Commission on Human Rights-CARAGA was also handling Castro's needs, and that the PNP would allow her family to visit Castro. 

Naty's sister belies police allegations

In a separate interview by GMA News' JP Soriano, Menchi Castro categorically denied that her sister was a member of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

"I would like to tell you categorically, that's anathema to her philosophy in life," Menchi said.

"The reason why she became a doctor was because she wanted to heal people, to help people, not to harm them. That's her calling in life, to be a positive influence in the lives of others, especially the poor. I believe that she is not a member of the CPP-NPA," Menchi added.

Menchi said her sister did not mention any threat or harassment that she has received in the past months or weeks.

"Wala naman po siyang nabalita sa amin (She did not say anything to us)," Menchi said.

"Mabuting tao ang aking kapatid (My sister is a good person). It's so unjust and unfair that this is being done to her," she insisted. —LBG, GMA News