MPD warns of gang kidnapping newborns from hospitals

MANILA, Philippines - Manila Police District director Chief Superintendent Roberto Rongavilla warned the public yesterday of a syndicate whose members kidnap newborns from hospitals, following the reported kidnapping of a baby girl at the Ospital ng Maynila (OSMA) Thursday.

Joel Villamor, 27 – live-in partner of Mary Grace Cawili, 17, who gave birth to a baby girl Thursday afternoon – complained to OSMA director Dr. Janet Tan that their baby was taken from the recovery room just hours after she was delivered.

Villamor said his partner told him that a woman wearing a nurse’s uniform came to her bed and took her baby, saying she will weigh the child. However, hours passed by and her baby was not returned. Tan reportedly ordered an investigation of the incident.

The “nurse,” described as at least five feet tall, chubby, light-skinned and chinky-eyed, is believed to be a member of a baby-for-sale syndicate who kidnaps newborns and sells them to affluent childless couples.

Rongavilla said patients, especially those in public hospitals, should guard their belongings and be alert for strangers entering their rooms.

He said he will meet with security officials of different hospitals in the city to assess their security measures, especially for outgoing patients and visitors. “Public hospitals are the usual targets of syndicates since they are crowded with visitors and security is sometimes lax,” Rongavilla said.

Last month, a newborn girl was also taken from her mother at the Ospital ng Sampaloc. The kidnapper, a woman, pretended to assist the mother, who did not have any relatives to help her leave the hospital.