Kidnapping and serious illegal detention: Prosecutor sustains complaint vs woman

CEBU, Philippines - Despite the parents’ affidavit of desistance, the complaint against the woman accused of kidnapping a newborn baby will push through.

This was according to the baby’s mother, Jayvee Celadiña, who said that the prosecutor’s office has sustained the kidnapping and serious illegal detention complaint filed against Melissa Londres.

But the prosecutor, according to Celadiña, has dismissed the similar complained filed against Londres’ ex-boyfriend, Philip Winfred Almeria.

Earlier, Deputy City Prosecutor Maria Luisa Ratilla has made it clear that the affidavit of desistance still needs to be reviewed.  

Ratilla said the affidavit of desistance may or may not be considered, depending on the gravity of the crime committed by an offender.

  “It (desistance) is always subject to evaluation, assessment, review, and approval… It depends also on who executes the affidavit of desistance,” Ratilla told reporters.

Couple Jonathan and Jayvee Celadiña decided to forgive Londres, 26, and Almeria, 27, after Londres’ mother visited them in Tungkop, Minglanilla and asked for forgiveness.

The Celadiña’s, however, denied receiving P100,000 in exchange for the affidavit of desistance.

Londres, a call center agent, posed as a nurse and took the newborn baby of the Celadiñas at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center last January 4.

The next day, the baby was rescued from Londres, who later admitted to the crime, hoping that the baby would help her and her ex-boyfriend, Almeria, get back together.

 The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-7 filed a case against Londres and Almeria for violation of Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code or kidnapping and serious illegal detention before the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office on January 7.  (FREEMAN)