TWO TRAFFIC ENFORCERS and two barangay councilmen were commended by the Manila government for helping in the arrest of a woman allegedly engaged in kidnapping and selling of babies.

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim led city officials in giving recognition to Ricardo Pilapil and Rodrigo Lorenzo, members of the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau; and barangay councilmen William Meneses and William Gasmin.

All four received plaques of appreciation.

Lim said their efforts led to the arrest of Christina de la Cruz, who allegedly abducted the six-month-old baby boy of Evangeline Mariano at Harrison Plaza Mall last month.

Mariano, a cellular phone stall owner at the mall, said that before the abduction of her baby took place, the suspect had befriended her while she was attending to her business.

She said De la Cruz gained her trust as the latter frequented her shop and chatted with her almost everyday.

On Feb. 20, Mariano claimed she entrusted her baby to De la Cruz when she had to go to the toilet.

On her return, however, both the suspect and her baby were gone, prompting her to seek assistance from traffic enforcers who were in the area.

Pilapil and Lorenzo, on the other hand, also tapped the help of the barangay councilmen for an immediate manhunt against the suspect.

During the search, the traffic enforcers came across information that a woman, who later turned out to be De la Cruz, was selling a baby for a fee ranging from P200 to P1,000.

They subsequently arrested the suspect, who is now facing charges of child trafficking.

Chief Insp. Marcelo Reyes, head of the Manila Police District?s General Assignment Section, said they are now conducting a follow-up investigation to determine if the suspect is working alone or is a member of a syndicate.