Suspect in handcuffs graphics. INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Police officers foiled the alleged abduction of a five-year-old student near an elementary school in Novaliches, Quezon City on Thursday.
Police also arrested the suspect, Michael Buenaventura, 43, a resident of Bagumbong, Caloocan City.
In a statement, the Quezon City Police District said Buenaventura introduced himself as the student’s father to the school’s personnel located at Barangay Bagbag.
“Noong tinatanong na ng teacher kung sino yung sundo ng biktima, sumagot yung suspect na siya daw ang kanyang “daddy,” so nakuha niya yung bata, kinarga niya,” Novaliches Police Station Commander Lt. Col Von June Nuyda said in a GMA News report on Friday.
(When the teachers asked who the victim’s companion was, the suspect answered that he was the ‘daddy,’ and he carried the child.)
“So yung bata, dahil di niya kilala yung suspect, umiiyak, hanggang sa namukhaan nung nanay din ng kaklase ng bata. So doon na nagkaroon ng konting commotion,” Nuyda added.
(So the child, who did not know the suspect, cried, and the mother of one of the child’s classmates recognized the child. This created a commotion.)
Police officers and Barangay Public Safety officers responded and arrested the suspect.
Buenaventura denied that he tried to abduct the student, GMA News also reported.
“Hindi po totoo ‘yun. Nagbiro lang naman po kasi ako kasi sabi ng teacher ‘kaninong anak ‘to?’ napasigaw na lang ako na ‘ako ang tatay niyan, nag-raise kasi ako ng hand,” he said in the interview.
(That’s not true. I was just joking because the teacher asked, “whose child is this?” I just said that I am the father, then raised my hand.)
Police said the suspect had a previous record for child abuse and violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.
The QCPD said Buenaventura “is allegedly suffering from depression as claimed by his family.”
Buenaventura is currently detained at the QCPD’s Police Station 4 custodial facility and will be charged for abduction in relation to RA 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.
There were previous reports of women allegedly being abducted. However, the Philippine National Police said crime incidents are on a decline.
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