Mom’s new friend ‘kidnaps’ newborn
A 31-year-old mother has sought the help of the Cebu City Police Office – Investigation and Detective Management Branch (IDMB) to locate her newborn child who was allegedly kidnapped by a woman who befriended her several months ago.
Irene Capuno, a resident of Sitio Ilaya, Barangay Guinacot, Danao City, narrated that a certain Chera Jane Quizon, whom she met and got acquainted with last November at the boardwalk of Danao City, kidnapped her two-weekold baby girl last February 21 while they were in a comfort room of a church in Cebu City.
Capuno said that she came to know Quizon when was about seven months pregnant.
“Mag daygon-daygon man ko niya. Nadaygonan man na nako siya mao to nga iya kong gisuod. Niana sya nako nga ‘ate mabdos diay ka? Ako na na ang imong bata ha?' Ingun ko ayaw oy. ingun siya aw naa diay kay bana?” Capuno narrated.
Their first meeting was reportedly followed by regular conversation every time they meet.
“Ang iyang estorya nako kay bahin sa iyang problema. Ingon siya, ‘ ikaw ra gyud ang masumbongan nako sa akong problema te kay ikaw ray makasabot nako. Adto mi mag-estorya sa boardwalk,” Capuno added.
Several weeks prior she gave birth, Quizon visited her in their residence and told her that she was already three months pregnant.
Capuno said that last February 21, exactly 11 days after she gave birth, the suspect visited her again and invited her to go to Cebu City to visit the Sr. Sto. Niño to thank Him for the safe delivery.
She said that after they went to Sto. Niño church, Quizon invited her to eat at a mall just along the area before they decided to go home.
Capuno said that while waiting for passenger jeepney going to Danao, Quizon told her that they'll go back to Sto. Niño so that they can easily find a vacant jeepney.
“Pagnaog namo ana siya te di ka kahion? Mao nihapit mi sa Cathedral para mangihi. Paghuman, paggawas nako nawala na ang babaye. Nangutana ko sa tigbantay og CR, niingon nga nilakaw man to niagi sa kilid. Ako dayon gigukod pero wala na nako maabti,” Capuno said.
Capuno then immediately went to the nearest barangay hall where she was brought to the Waterfront Police to report the incident.
IDMB Chief Ryan Devaras said they are investigating if this is the new modus of a syndicate in kidnapping a newborn child wherein suspects are befriending their target victims.
“The manner sa iyang pag-execute sa pag-kidnap sa bata is gi-amiga sa siya (mother). After niya nga nanganak kay gikuha dayon, so this could be another modus sa syndicate kung unsaon nila pag-kidnap. Ato nang gitutokan ning kasoha,” said Devaras.
The police now have a CCTV footage capturing the suspect holding the child.
Devaras added they already sent investigators to Danao City to determine the identity of Quizon.
Meanwhile, Capuno pleaded to the suspect to return her child.
“Manawagan ko niya nga iuli lang ang akong anak. Di siya nako pahilabtan kay luoy baya akong anak basta iuli lang niya,” said Capuno.
The kidnapped baby was Capuno's fifth child.