Selling property as an expat, Filipino wife abandoned husband & kids

Hello all,

I am trying to do some research on behalf of my father who is a UK citizen married to a filipino, he has one child with his spouse who has a British passport and also lives with another child from her previous relationship who does not.

Long story short my fathers wife has walked out on him abandoning he and both the children (11 & 15). She claims to have no interest in the house but I am sure she is very aware that my father is in poor health (occupational asbestosis) and likely does not have many years left.

My father as I understand it owns the property and his wife the land is he able to force the sale of the land or alternatively transfer ownership to his children? I assume should this be an option he would need to nominate an executor until they reach a certain age.

Any guidance would be much appreciated, essentially my father wants to safeguard the children's future and not be faced with them living in a house with their mother and new partner once he is out of the frame. Ideally he would like to bring the two children back to the UK but I understand this cannot be done as the father of the older child is to all extent and purposes AWOL meaning adoption is highly problematic with my fathers poor health being an ever mindful consideration. 

Many thanks in advance, Joe