Rev Juliana Pena, spiritual adviser of former prime minister, Patrick Manning, has been spotted at Lalaja Road, Blanchisseuse. Lalaja Road is located four-and-a-half miles along the Blanchisseuse Main Road from Arima. Sources spotted Pena in the yard where the dilapidated, white cocoa house is located, at the dead end of a forested road called Old Pitch Road. There is a cluster of julie mango trees nearby. The property is said to be owned by Pena's estranged husband Euston Devenish. Emerging from the bushes, a surprised villager told Sunday Guardian, he greeted Pena some three weeks ago. A brief tete-a-tete ensued, the villager disclosed. The source said she was seen gardening in the area. Most residents refused to divulge information on her whereabouts.
Villagers described the cocoa house where Pena is reported to have found refuge as "a shack and not fit for living." When the Sunday Guardian got to the cocoa house after more than 30 minutes of walking along rugged terrain, Pena was nowhere to be found yesterday. However, sources said she was still in hiding in the rural community. The cocoa house sits at ground level. The weather-beaten boards are fading. Outside, there is a blue barrel which catches rain water. At the back, a stainless steel kitchen sink is located adjacent to the wash sink and makeshift bathroom. PVC pipelines are attached to both sinks. To date, reports had said Pena travels extensively often visiting countries in Africa like South Africa and Swaziland.
But recent information said Pena, who hails from Arima Old Road, was back in T&T. Since word spread like wildfire that she had been linked to the construction of the Lighthouse of The Lord Jesus Christ church at Heights of Guanapo, Arima she could not be located. Her family members and members of her former Jesus The Light of This World Congregation said they did not know where Pena is.
Estranged husband: I can't recall seeing her
A stone's throw before the cocoa house is a white bungalow that belongs to anti-quarry activist, Gemma "Duchess" Hempson. A group of young United States-based researchers studying fishes like guppies and wabine in the area around the Asa Wright Nature Centre said, "We rent the house from Duchess." They said they pay Devenish for parking close to the cocoa house when they access the area to do their research. When contacted about his wife's whereabouts, Devenish laughed heartily. He said, "I don't know. That doesn't make sense. I don't understand that. I am not aware of that." Quizzed on his thoughts on Government's probe on Pena's use of State funds to finance her overseas trips through the country's foreign mission, he said, "I don't have a clue. I am at a loss just as you.
LEFT: Juliana Pena's brother catches up on the news of the probe in Saturday's Guardian.
"I don't think they are seriously going after her. I don't see why they can't get in touch with her. Asked whether he had seen her recently, he added, "I can't recall." Brother: She is innocent
The brother of Juliana Pena, who wished to remain anonymous, said, "She is innocent." Under the shade of a palm tree at Arima Old Road, he said, "We are all concerned for her." He had a hint of a foreign accent. "But we know the Lord will take care of her. She has always put her faith in him." Quizzed on her wherabouts, he said, "I don't know. Even if I knew I would not say. I can't say anymore. I will get in trouble with my family." He admitted he was unaware of the probe. When he was handed a copy of the Guardian, he looked at the photo of his sister and smiled.
Meanwhile, other family members closed the front doors. A small child appeared on the verandah. Pena's mother was spotted peeping from behind the windows of a front room. Efforts to contact former foreign affairs minister, Paula Gopee-Scoon proved futile.
