Missing 5-year-old from Pampanga found in QC with help of concerned citizens

The missing five-year-old child who was seen being taken by a man in Pampanga was found in Novaliches, Quezon City, and is now reunited with her family.

According to a "24 Oras" report by Oscar Oida,  Ally was seen with the man who took her in Barangay San Bartolome on Thursday morning after she was reported missing in Angeles City on March 17.

Concerned citizens recognized the child after seeing her on TV and reported her whereabouts to the barangay.

“Nung nag-viral po siya, sa 24 Oras nung binalita po siya, siyempre po naksubaybay kami sa balita. Nung nakita po ng asawa ko, bibili kami pandesal sana. Sabi niya sa akin, Mel diba yun yung batang nawawala?” said  Allan Escalona, a resident in the area.

(When she went viral, it got reported in 24 Oras, we were watching the news. When my wife saw them, we were supposed to buy some bread. She told me, Mel, isn't that the missing kid?)

“Bigla po siyang ano eh… Binihisan yung bata, nag-aaligaga na aalis, kaya sabi ng asawa ko, sumakay ka. Iikutan natin siya kahit saan siya pumunta,” added his wife, Janet.

(The man dressed up the kid and rushed to leave, so I told my husband that we should follow them wherever they go.)

Another resident said that he saw the suspect dressing up Ally in a long gown, but when he asked if she was his child, the suspect did not reply.

The suspect was eventually intercepted by barangay officials alerted by the residents.

“Pasensya na po. May mali po talaga ako kasi sinama ko po, pero di ko po pinabayaann yung bata. Sana po [ma]patawad [ako], sorry po kasi pabigla-bigla ang isip ko,” the suspect said.

(I’m sorry. I really did something wrong because I took her with me, but I didn’t neglect her. I hope I will be forgiven. I’m sorry, sometimes I can't think straight.)

He added that he only took the child because he felt pity for her.

“Kasi kung iiwanan ko po siya roon, baka kung ano mangyari sa kanya. Baka mahulog siya o kung sino makadampot sa kanya. Eh ako, sabi ko isama ko na ito. Bahala na… Siguro kasi mag isa lang po ako, malungkot po ako sa buhay tsaka gusto ko may kausap ako,” he added.

(Because if I leave her there, what if something happens to her? She might fall or someone might take her. So, I said I’d take her with me. I guess it’s because I’m alone, my life is sad and I want someone to talk to.)

Ally’s relatives accused the suspect of taking the child to be used to beg for alms.

“Ginamit niya yung bata para mamalimos [at] magkapera siya. Hindi ko alam kung ano pa sunod niyang gagawin, kaya di pwedeng di siya mananagot. Ipapakulong ko siya talaga,” said Ally’s aunt Hermina Dela Cruz Campos.

(He used the child to beg [and] to get money. I don’t know what he’ll do next, so he can’t leave unpunished. I’ll really send him to jail.)

Quezon City Police Station 4 Commander Police Lieutenant Colonel Reynaldo Vitto said that the suspect may face charges of kidnapping.

“May proseso tayo pagdating sa pagkukupkop ng bata. Kapag nakapulot, i-ano sa barangay,” Vitto said.

(We have a process when it comes to adopting a child. If you see a child, he or she should be turned over to the barangay.)—Jiselle Anne Casucian/LDF, GMA Integrated News