Couple arrested for abduction

Desperate to have a child of her own, a couple reportedly kidnapped the month-old-son of a neighbor in barangay Apas last Saturday morning and tried to bring him to Saranggani Province.

One of the alleged abductors, Miraflor Lerio, 29, of Saranggani, has reportedly been telling relatives she already has a child with her live-in partner Relly Arellano, a native of Iloilo.

The boy's mother Aileen Anniban and her landlady Virginia Baldoza drove to the Mabolo Police Station around 10 a.m. asking for help and claiming that her son was abducted.

Around 3 p.m. that day, the boy was rescued by Maritime policemen SPO4 Virgilio Pargas, PO3 Florito Banilad and PO1 Ricky Yeban after Anniban reportedly caught Lerio with her son onboard M/V Asia Philippines at Pier 5.

SPO3 Jack Jacalan said Lerio and Arellano even bought clothing for the boy before they proceeded to the pier area.

Neighbors who saw them left were wondered why they already had a child when the two of them only recently moved to Apas.

Charges of kidnapping are set to be filed against the couple presently detained at the Mabolo Police stockade. - Ryan P. Borinaga