Family of kidnapped child gets justice after 3 years

MANILA, Philippines — The family of a six-year-old child abducted in 2016 finally received justice three years after he was kidnapped.

The Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 86, in a court decision on July 2, sentenced to life imprisonment 42-year-old Loida Annaway, who was accused of kidnapping the victim on April 18, 2016.

The Philippine National Police-Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG) said on Thursday that the father of the victim reported to the Tabuk City Police Station in Kalinga province on April 19, 2016, that his son was missing. The report was coordinated with the PNP-AKG.

On the same day, the family of the victim received a text message from an unknown person who demanded P100,000 in exchange for his release.

A pursuit operation was launched, and police found the child in Quezon City on April 22, 2016. Annaway was arrested.

Aside from jail time, Annaway was also ordered by the court to pay P300,000 to the victim’s family for moral and civil damages. /ee