Baby rescued from father

CEBU, Philippines -  A seven-month-old baby was rescued from his mentally challenged father at Barangay Kasambagan, Cebu City at around 7 o’clock yesterday morning.

Cipriano Artajo, 25, a native of Villa Hermoso, Negros Occidental, was reportedly doing some shadow boxing in the middle of the road, with the baby placed beside the road.

People who saw him immediately reported to the barangay. A Quick Response Team headed by Councilman George Chang proceeded to the area.

To Chang’s surprise, they caught Artajo shouting that he is Manny Pacquiao. “Amo gyud siyang naabtan nag wara-wara tunga gyud sa daan,” he said.

Immediately, they brought Artajo and his son to the barangay hall where they fed and cleaned the baby. Barangay workers noticed several burns in the boy’s body.

Chang also received reports that Artajo earlier forced the infant to eat bread.

Barangay officials informed the Mabolo Police Station. Artajo and his son were then brought to the Department of Social Welfare and Development Central Visayas Office where the attending social worker declared Artajo unfit to care for the baby.

At around 2 p.m. yesterday, the boy was brought to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC). Attending physicians said the baby is healthy except for the bruises and boils he has, Chang said.

Artajo was admitted to the hospital’s psychiatric ward.

“Gusto unta sa papa nga i-balik ang bata niya apan wala man misugot ang DSWD,” Chang said. (The father wanted to have the baby back but the DSWD won’t allow it.)

He also believed that Artajo is not the true father of the boy, adding that they do not look alike. — (FREEMAN)