Search launched for Pampanga kidnap victim

MABALACAT, Pampanga, Philippines – A search and rescue operation has been launched for a 12-year-old girl reportedly snatched by a man at the Madapdap resettlement site here Sunday.

The girl’s mother told investigators that her daughter failed to return home after she asked her to buy rice at a nearby store at around 1 p.m.

“We looked for her and some witnesses said she was seen being dragged by a man into a tricycle,” the mother said.

Provincial police director Senior Superintendent Marlon Madrid said there were reports that the girl was brought to Porac town.

“I ordered my men, along with social worker officers to track down the suspect and rescue the girl,” Madrid said.

He refused to reveal the identity of the victim and her parents, citing a law upholding anonymity in cases involving minors.