TWO newborn baby boys were found abandoned in separate locations early Friday, March 21, 2025.
The first infant was discovered inside a red paper bag at 011 Singkil Street, Lanzona Subdivision, Matina Aplaya, Davao City.
Magdalena Natividad, a resident, and her niece heard the baby crying and found him with his umbilical cord still attached. A note left beside him identified his birth date as March 20, 2025, and his name as Brian Drake. The message read: "Please treat him with love and care just like your own. Provide him with something that he needs because for now, we can’t afford to raise him. Please don’t change his name! Sorry for passing our responsibility to yours! God bless!!!"
Authorities transported the baby, weighing 2.9 kilograms, to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), where he is in stable condition. The Ecoland Police Station and Barangay Matina Aplaya officials are working to identify the mother by reviewing health center records and monitoring nearby areas.
Meanwhile, another newborn was found inside a cardboard box in front of a store along the national highway in Purok Orchids, Barangay Tubon, Pigcawayan, Cotabato Province, around 3 a.m.
The store owner initially hesitated to open the box, fearing it contained an explosive. Upon hearing a baby crying inside, they called neighbors and reported it to the police.
CCTV footage showed two young men on a motorcycle leaving the box at the scene. The baby is now under the care of the Pigcawayan Rural Health Unit and is in stable condition.
The store owner has expressed interest in adopting him, pending proper procedures with the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO).
The Davao City and Pigcawayan police are investigating to identify the mothers and those responsible for abandoning the infants. JPC, EEF