Suspect in handcuffs graphics. șÚÁÏÉç
MANILA, Philippines â Police officers foiled the alleged abduction of a five-year-old student near an elementary school in Novaliches, Quezon City on Thursday.
Police also arrested the suspect, Michael Buenaventura, 43, a resident of Bagumbong, Caloocan City.
In a statement, the Quezon City Police District said Buenaventura introduced himself as the studentâs father to the schoolâs personnel located at Barangay Bagbag.
âNoong tinatanong na ng teacher kung sino yung sundo ng biktima, sumagot yung suspect na siya daw ang kanyang âdaddy,â so nakuha niya yung bata, kinarga niya,â Novaliches Police Station Commander Lt. Col Von June Nuyda said in a GMA șÚÁÏÉç report on Friday.
(When the teachers asked who the victimâs companion was, the suspect answered that he was the âdaddy,â and he carried the child.)
âSo yung bata, dahil di niya kilala yung suspect, umiiyak, hanggang sa namukhaan nung nanay din ng kaklase ng bata. So doon na nagkaroon ng konting commotion,â Nuyda added.
(So the child, who did not know the suspect, cried, and the mother of one of the childâs classmates recognized the child. This created a commotion.)
Police officers and Barangay Public Safety officers responded and arrested the suspect.
Buenaventura denied that he tried to abduct the student, Â GMA șÚÁÏÉç also reported.
âHindi po totoo âyun. Nagbiro lang naman po kasi ako kasi sabi ng teacher âkaninong anak âto?â napasigaw na lang ako na âako ang tatay niyan, nag-raise kasi ako ng hand,â he said in the interview.
(Thatâs not true. I was just joking because the teacher asked, âwhose child is this?â I just said that I am the father, then raised my hand.)
Police said the suspect had a previous record for child abuse and violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.
The QCPD said Buenaventura âis allegedly suffering from depression as claimed by his family.â
Buenaventura is currently detained at the QCPDâs Police Station 4 custodial facility and will be charged for abduction in relation to RA 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.
There were previous reports of women allegedly being abducted. However, the Philippine National Police said crime incidents are on a decline.
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