A baby boy believed to be seven months old was found on the floor, creeping, inside a female comfort room in a mall in the district of Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

According to a utility worker to an employee of the Iloilo City Social Welfare Development Office, a person who used the comfort room first saw the child and reported it.

The child was wearing a white sando and short pants when he was found, while a milk bottle was also seen near him on September 4, 2024.

The mall administration reached out immediately to the Iloilo City Police Station 10 (ICPS) for assistance.

Workers of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) took the baby, who is assigned the name “Angelo," to the hospital for medical assessment.

“Sa tingin natin, sinadya ang pag-iwan sa bata. Hindi siya aabot doon kung walang nag-iwan sa kanya. Baka hindi pa siya [ina] ready sa responsibility or may mga problema siya sa pag-iisip,” Lt. Cosmeflor Marco Jr., deputy station commander of ICPS 10, said.

The result of the medical assessment is set to be released on Monday, September 9, 2024, but the CSWDO said that the baby seems to be alright as aside from a bump on the head, he has no wound anywhere on his body.

CSWD Officer Teresa Gelogo said that the identity of the child’s mother was already determined. It was learned that the mother is not from Iloilo City. However, the child will not be returned immediately to her custody even though her identity will be further confirmed, Gelogo said.

“Hindi kami papayag na ibalik ang bata na hindi pa handa ang ina nito. So, mag-undergo siya sa assessment,” Gelogo said.

Gelogo has reminded parents that there are other ways should nurturing children become exhausting, instead of leaving them anywhere.

“Huwag niyong pabayaan ang mga anak ninyo. Bantayan niyo nang mabuti,” Gelogo added.

As of posting time, the CSWDO has coordinated with the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office of the town where Baby Angelo’s mother resides.

The news team sought comment from the management of the mall, but they said that the investigation is now in the hands of the police.