Kidnap raps filed vs baby-sitter

Charges of kidnapping for ransom have been filed before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court against a baby-sitter for abducting her one-year-old ward in Pangasinan last month.

Zenaida Pedro, alias Alma Mendoza, 37, of Purok 7 Suyong Echague, Isabela, was charged at the sala of Judge Romeo Zamora of Branch 194.

Also charged was the baby-sitter’s cohort Rose de Castro, 36, of Barangay Mahabang Labak, San Isidro, Paombong, Bulacan.

Both Pedro and De Castro were arrested by the operatives of the Presidential Anti-Crime Emergency Response (PACER) team in an entrapment operation conducted at a bus terminal in Cubao, Quezon City last Oct. 17. The suspect received P50,000 ransom money from Maria Leonora Peñaflorida, 23, the victim’s mother.

State Prosecutor Emilie Fe Malabrigo-de los Santos recommended no bail against the accused, who are detained at the PACER detention cell.

Pedro, who introduced herself as Alma Mendoza, was hired as baby-sitter of Peñaflorida’s daughter in Sta. Maria, Pangasinan.

Pedro and her ward were gone when Peñaflorida came back from church, a day after the accused was employed.

Two days after the abduction, Peñaflorida received a text message from Pedro, who informed her that the child was with her and demanded P100,000 for the safe release of her daughter.

On Oct. 17, Pedro again sent Peñaflorida a text message informing her that the ransom has been cut to P50,000. PACER agents arrested the suspects during the entrapment and safely rescued the victim. – Pia Lee-Brago