EPD warns public of baby snatchers in Marikina

MANILA, Philippines - Two newborn babies were kidnapped in Marikina City over the past week, prompting police officials to warn the public yesterday against baby snatchers operating in the metropolis.

Eastern Police District (EPD) director Chief Superintendent Miguel Laurel ordered a manhunt for the kidnappers as he urged residents of Marikina City to be vigilant while tending to their babies.

“We should put to a complete stop this kind of racket,” Laurel said in his directive to Senior Superintendent Reynaldo Jagmis, Marikina City police chief.

Rachel Balaro told police that she had gone to sleep after feeding her month-old baby girl, Sofia, in their house in Purok 7, Barangay Malanday at past midnight Saturday. When she woke up at around 3 a.m., her baby was missing.

Balaro said she suspects that a neighbor, whom she knew only as “Lotlot,” was the one who took her baby. She said Lotlot, who has also disappeared, had told her about her intention to adopt her baby.

Jagmis said Lotlot may have entered Balaro’s house through an open window.

Another woman, identified only as Jovelyn, told police she lost her infant daughter to an armed man and his female companion on Nov. 28. She said she gave birth at a lying-in clinic the day before and she and her husband checked out at around 2 p.m. on Nov. 28.

Since they failed to flag down a tricycle in front of the clinic, they walked to an adjacent street. As they waited for a tricycle, a van stopped in front of them and a man pointed a handgun at her while the gunman’s companion grabbed the child.

Jovelyn said they were so shocked that they failed to jot down the van’s plate number.