ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - - Police forces have widened the pursuit operation to rescue a Filipino-Canadian child who was abducted along with his babysitter in Pagadian City, an official said.
Unconfirmed reports claimed that the kidnappers are asking a huge ransom in exchange for the release of the victim, who is one year and 11 months old, and his nanny 17-year-old nanny.
“Pursuit operation is (underway) in the province and in the nearby Region 10 areas to trace the possible whereabouts of the victim and his abductors,†Chief Superintendent Juanito Vaño, police director for regional office 9, said.
Vaño said the tracking police have been directed to prioritize the victim's safety.
The nanny was taking her ward for a stroll at Rosario Homes Subdivision in Dao district Pagadian City when they were seized by unidentified men past 6 a.m. Thursday and taken on board a blue compact car.
The mother of the victim reported the incident three hours later, thinking that her son and the nanny were only enjoying themselves in their stroll because she did not notice any commotion during the abduction.
According to Vaño, the parents of the victims have yet to fully coordinate with the authorities investigating the case.
Police have also invited the subdivision guard on duty during the incident for an interview.
Vaño said the mother of the victim was apparently reluctant to talk to authorities as she is waiting for her husband, who is a Canadian national working in a mining company in Surigao province.
Reports in Pagadian City disclosed that the kidnappers have already contacted the victim’s family and demanded ransom in exchange for the child's safe release.
Senior Superintendent Thomas Abellar, provincial police chief for Zamboanga del Sur, said they have also heard similar information.
“But these reports were not clear and unconfirmed,†Abellar said.
According to Abellar, he is retaining some of the round-the-clock checkpoints in the area, hoping that the kidnappers have remained in Zamboanga del Sur.