4-year-old rescued hours after abduction in Malate; suspect arrested
A four-year-old girl who went missing in Malate, Manila, was safely recovered within hours after concerned residents cornered and identified the suspect, leading to his arrest, police said.
The Manila Police District (MPD) reported that the child was last seen around 12:45 p.m. on June 22 along Adriatico Street, Barangay 701, after telling her parents she would go to her grandmother’s house.
Moments later, she disappeared.
Alarmed, the family immediately sought help from barangay officials and police, triggering a search operation.
The footage showed the suspect accompanying the victim toward Taft Avenue before leaving the Malate area.
At around 11:30 p.m. the same day, residents in Barangay 701 mobbed the suspect after recognizing him from circulating information tied to the missing child case.
Meanwhile, at about 11:40 p.m., the child was located in Barangay Tambo, Parañaque City, after information about her disappearance spread on social media.
The victim was reunited with her family at around 2 a.m. on June 23.
Police said the suspect was brought to Malate Police Station 9 for investigation following a medico-legal examination.
Authorities credited the quick response of the community, barangay officials, and the use of CCTV and social media in ensuring the child’s safe recovery.
Investigations are ongoing.