Crying, hungry, and covered in ants.
This was how a newborn baby boy was found underneath a vehicle in a parking lot in Barangay Punta Princessa, Cebu City, on Thursday afternoon, January 26, 2023.
Yet the baby is recovering well as of 5 p.m., January 27, 2022, at the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) after concerned neighbors rescued him.
A teenage boy heard the child’s cry around 3 p.m. and upon finding the baby, alerted the people in a nearby internet cafe of the infant’s presence.
Savier Bulambao, a resident of the area said that their household also heard the baby’s cry. They found the baby barely alive crying for his life.
Taking immediate action, the neighbors swaddled the baby in blankets and brought him to the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) for treatment.
"Pagawas nako nag-uha man ang bata akong nakita duol sa ligid sa awto gihulmigas, nilagom! Dali nakong gi-aswat gidala sa amoa dayon sa CCMC" said Bulambao.
(When I went out, the baby was crying near the tire of a vehicle attacked by ants. It was already discolored. We immediately rescued the baby and brought it to the CCMC.)
Police Major Janelito Marquez, the chief of the Labangon Police Station told SunStar Cebu they received the report from CCMC.
The Labangon Police Women’s and Children’s Protection Desk (WCPD) is now investigating of the incident.
Marquez said they are hopeful to find the parents of the child since the area is covered by CCTV cameras.
The police are now coordinating with the barangay focal person to find the infant’s mother.
"Sa walay puangod nga Inahan, asa man ka karon mas maayong mipatim-aw ka! Kay amo gyud kang pangitaon,” added the police chief.
(To the heartless mother, wherever you are now, it is better that you show yourself! We will look for you.)
Marquez said that the mother may be facing charges in violation of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act for the abandonment of the infant. (GPL/DCL)