CEBU CITY – Police rescued an eight-year-old Filipino-Korean who was abducted by the caretaker of the apartment where the victim’s family lived in Barangay Bakilid, Mandaue City.
The girl was rescued several hours after she was abducted by Godiflor Rama, 32.
SECURITY camera footage shows Godiflor Rama rolling a suitcase containing an eight-year-old girl that he abducted from an apartment in Barangay Bakilid, Mandaue City on Thursday, August 10. (Screenshot via Calvin Cordova)
Police investigation showed that the girl was abducted around noon on Thursday, August 10, but the incident was reported to the police around 5 p.m.
It was around 8 p.m. when police successfully rescued the girl in a boarding house in the same barangay where the suspect was also arrested.
Interviewed by reporters, the suspect admitted putting the girl inside a suitcase when he took her from an apartment where he had been working as a caretaker for almost a year.
Security camera footage showed the suspect pushing a suitcase where the child was placed.
Rama, who is from Barangay Sampaguita, Bukidnon, said he did not totally close the suitcase so the girl can breathe.
He said he abducted the girl in retaliation against her relatives whom he said accused him of stealing their belongings from their apartment.
Police Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin, chief of the Police Regional Office-Central Visayas, commended the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) for the successful rescue of the girl.
“Three hours after the incident came to the knowledge of the operatives, an intricate rescue police operation was immediately conducted paving the way to the successful rescue of the victim and the arrest of the suspect,” Aberin said in a statement.
Aberin said police “immediately utilized modern technology, in-depth investigation, and comprehensive intelligence resulting in the successful tracking of the suspect and the victim.”
“I would like to recognize the very swift action of the Able, Active, and Allied police operatives of PRO-7 who participated in the rescue operation of the minor kidnap victim and the arrest of the kidnapper. Congratulations to all of you and the PNP is very proud of you!” said Aberin.
Police Col. Jeffrey Caballes, chief of MCPO, said charges of kidnapping and serious illegal detention will be filed against the suspect.