Top cop marries ex-kidnap victim

MANILA, Philippines – A classic but rare tale of a damsel in distress being rescued by her knight in shining armor wound up at the altar yesterday at a cathedral in Intramuros, Manila.

The knight is former national police chief Arturo Lomibao, and the damsel Chinese-Filipino former kidnap victim Rowena Jacky Tiu, who were wed Sunday at the Basilica Immaculate Conception, Manila Metropolitan Cathedral.

It was in October 2001 when the pair first met during a thanksgiving Mass after a successful police operation that rescued Tiu from her kidnappers.

Tiu, 36, is the strong-willed woman who gave a face to the crusade against criminals involved in kidnapping for ransom. Lomibao, 22 years her senior, helped minimize kidnap-for-ransom incidents in the country during his stint as chief of the Philippine National Police.

Principal sponsors in the wedding included President Arroyo, former President Fidel Ramos, former Speaker Jose de Venecia, Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn, Regal Films matriarch Lily Monteverde and Don Emilio Yap.

Art’s two children by his late wife Beth —Louanda and Arthur Chase —served as the bridesmaid and best man, respectively. Jacky’s only brother Michael Jonathan was one of the groomsmen.

Art got a first glimpse of Jacky on Oct. 14, 2001 during a thanksgiving Mass given by her family after she was rescued from the hands of her kidnappers, who kept her captive in a province in the northern part of the Philippines from Sept. 27 to Oct. 4, 2001.

On the same occasion, Jacky was asked to make a speech about her ordeal. There, she recalled the pains, fears, and uncertainties while she was in captivity. She thanked her parents Rodolfo and Rebecca, her Kuya Mike, relatives, friends and the government authorities for all the prayers and efforts exerted in rescuing her.

Art, then the PNP Director for Region I (Ilocos Region), was among those present in the Mass. He was struck by Jacky’s strong personality and her being articulate in expressing the feelings she had while in captivity. More importantly, Jacky’s beautiful face was not left unnoticed by him.

Being the top police officer in the region and tasked to intensify anti-kidnapping operations in his area, Art met Jacky after the Mass to discuss further what transpired in her abduction and to possibly get leads for the suspects’ identification.

Mrs. Arroyo, who was then only months into her presidency, gave marching orders for Lomibao to “ensure her (Tiu’s) safety and so will all those who choose to stand against crime and terrorism.”

Even the President admired Jacky’s courage. “Others would fear doing this for fear of their lives and of their loved ones. I admire her courage and her sense of righteous indignation which will not be in vain,” the President said when she met Jacky and her family a few months after her rescue.

At the time, sparks didn’t fly between Art and Jacky as the policeman was busy with job and family, particularly his two young children and his wife then undergoing treatment for cancer.

But Art still had to meet Jacky occasionally to keep her updated on the development of her case, which is still pending resolution before a Manila court.

Despite their meetings, it never occurred to them that they would someday be lovers. Jacky was trying to start a new life after her harrowing experience with kidnappers. Art, on the other hand, was having difficulty managing his time, as he had to commute to and from Ilocos and Manila to attend to wife and children.

But their friendship blossomed as even Jacky’s parents and brother treated Art as part of the family.

Communication lines were kept buzzing even after Art was transferred to the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame for a higher position as chief of the directorial staff - 4th in the PNP hierarchy.

Art’s wife died on March 22, 2003 after a long battle against cancer. The demise of Beth brought Art closer to his children and to his friends who wanted to console him for losing his wife, whom everybody described to be so kind.

Being family friends, Jacky and her father attended the wake of Beth.

After almost two years or on March 13, 2005, Art was appointed to the highest position in the PNP. It was no secret that even before he became PNP chief, Art had a relationship with a speechwriter for former PNP chief Hermogenes Ebdane Jr.

When Art and the speechwriter were an item, everybody in Camp Crame thought wedding bells would ring for them. Art, during a media forum by the Manila Overseas Press Club in Makati City, even introduced the woman as “the first lady in waiting.”

Courtship

Several months after Art and the speechwriter ended their relationship, Art finally realized his feelings and longing for Jacky who reminded him of the affection he felt for his wife.

It dawned on Art that he had the same feeling when he first saw Jacky during the thanksgiving Mass after her rescue, but the difference was he was still deeply in love with his late wife back then.

Who would have not loved a woman as pretty, caring, kind-hearted, highly educated and articulate as Jacky?

Although legally free to marry any woman he loved, Art still took into consideration the feelings of his two children before looking for a second wife.

Art got the approval of his children because they saw how Jacky made Art happy, which to them is the most important quality of a woman they would want for their father.

With his kids’ approval, Art started sending feelers to Jacky, but the latter turned him down several times, because she thought he was not serious in his intention. The situation was witnessed by her brother Mike.

Despite her serially turning him down, the ever persistent Art was never discouraged. He found it propitious that her birthday - Oct. 26, 1972 - was the same day Art was almost killed in an ambush by suspected rebels in Mountain Province. Art, then a 2nd lieutenant, lost three of his four companions.

Art’s friends were reminded of a funny incident when Jacky and her family were staying in a Cebu hotel during Christmas 2005. Art sent a bouquet of long-stemmed red roses to her room. But the delivery got mixed up and the flowers were sent instead to the room of Jacky’s parents, effectively “blowing his cover.”

But who could refuse this intelligent, soft-spoken, kind-hearted gentleman, who also sings and plays the guitar?

Relationship

Jacky realized that she was falling in love with Art when she felt nervous after learning his life was in danger.

Art, then PNP chief, was on board a police helicopter when his group encountered bad weather somewhere in Surigao del Sur. Art sent text messages to Jacky every five minutes, saying “Please pray for me, whatever happens please remember that I love you.”

Touched by the fact that Art remembered her on death’s brink, Jacky finally admitted to herself that Art really loves her.

Although both of them are matured individuals, there were times when they had misunderstandings and petty quarrels. But the couple makes sure that whoever is at fault will always be the one to apologize.

Certain about his feeling for her, Art proposed to marry Jacky, but she again thought he was not serious.

After Jacky finally gave her nod to Art, who vowed to marry her in any Church of her choice, the latter himself prepared everything for the wedding, from setting the date, the Church preparations and reception. Jacky herself brought the news to her friends that she was getting married on March 2 but she initially declined to tell who “lucky guy” was.

A lady friend, whom Jacky texted about the wedding, asked her who the groom was. Jacky opted to make it a surprise but promised to let her friend meet the guy before the wedding. The identity of Lucky Guy Art was leaked to her friend even before Jacky could introduce him to her.

A relative of Art, who will not be able to take part on their special day, vowed to shoulder the expenses for their honeymoon abroad.

Families and friends are excited for both who they said deserve to be happy.