by Candice Reyes
Glenda Ancheta, or “Baby” as her father fondly called her, left for Dubai to work as a driver on the May 28, 2006. She used to drive her father Aydo around and accompany him to most of his appointments as a consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines. Their trips made their father-daughter relationship stronger—they were “buddies”.
In her first weeks in Dubai, Baby and her father frequently talked on the phone. Aydo felt helpless knowing that the distance between him and his daughter made it impossible for him to be there to protect her should trouble come. Baby was on a 6-month work contract since she wanted to be home for Christmas. But one ill-fated day brought her back sooner than she expected.
Leopoldo Ancheta or “Aydo”, as Baby fondly called him, was abducted on June 24, 2006 in Guiguinto, Bulacan, almost a month after she left. He was on his way home, walking from where his companions dropped him off. It was a 30-minute walk and he was alone. Suddenly, four armed men appeared by his side and forced him into a vehicle. Witnesses said that Aydo tried to fight back. They also tried to help him but were threatened by the armed men. Two days later, Aydo’s companions, Celina Palma, Gloria Soco and Prudencio Calubid, were also abducted by armed men using the same vehicle that took Aydo away. The vehicle was believed to be owned by military elements.
The threats to her father’s life were not a secret to Baby. But she had a hard time working, eating and sleeping when she learned of what happened to Aydo. She recalled how he tried to convince her not to leave the country too soon as he would miss her. She remembered how he reminded her of their plans. Baby wanted to fly home as soon as she heard the news. But she was ordered to pay her agency quite a sum of money—a sum she didn’t have. Fortunately, her husband and relatives managed to borrow the money she needed. Since Baby’s arrival in July 2006, Baby’s search for a father’s welcome-home embrace has not ended.
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