Cops foil abduction of boy by former helper

Police prevented the abduction of a four-year-old boy by a former helper of a businessman’s family in Caloocan City yesterday. The intended victim was identified by police as Aaron Ray Balatbat, a nursery pupil of 276 A. Mabini Street.

City police chief Superintendent Benjardi Mantele identified the suspect as Edilberto Guerrero, 24, single, a native of Butuan City and residing at Block 15, Lot 70, Tanigue Street, Dagat-Dagatan.

According to investigation, the suspect’s plot was discovered when the victim’s aunt, Sonia de la Cruz, 38, eavesdropped on a call to the victim by a male caller.

At around eight in the evening of Friday, the suspect who knew the routine at the former household he worked for, called up the young boy inducing him to come out of the house and go to a popular burger store.

On an extension, De la Cruz allegedly overheard the suspect saying "Tatakas tayo. Bibili tayo ng maraming juicy, tapos kakain tayo sa Jollibee (We will escape, buy chewing gum. Then we will eat at Jollibee.)" De la Cruz immediately called the police who later waited in ambush for the suspect.

The boy’s family said that Aaron Ray was directed by the suspect to wait for him outside the residence where he would fetch him. — Jerry Botial