Cops searching for girl suspected abducted

CEBU, Philippines - Police are now looking for an 11-year-old girl who was believed to have been abducted in Barangay Baliwagan, Balamban town, last Sunday afternoon.

Police identified the victim as Rubelyn Layo, a Grade 3 pupil and a resident of Sitio Combado, Barangay Cantuod, Balamban.

Layo’s eight-year-old brother, Francis, described the alleged abductor as a brown-skinned man is in his 60’s.

PO2 Godofredo Dumdum of the Balamban Police Station said based on their initial investigation the alleged abduction happened while the siblings were caroling along the highway last Sunday afternoon.

The two were just done caroling at a house when a man approached them and convinced them to go to his place. He said his place had bigger houses and people give bigger amounts to carolers.

The two went with the man and rode on a bus with him to Barangay Buanoy.

Francis further alleged that when they arrived in Barangay Buanoy, the man gave him P20 and told him to go home first and ride on a passenger jeepney bound for Balamban proper.

Upon reaching the town proper, the boy rode on a tricycle and went home. He then told his parents of their experience.

Francis further narrated that his sister initially resisted letting her brother go home first without her, but the man allegedly insisted and took her with him.

Yesterday, the parents had the incident reported at the Balamban Police Station as the girl has not come home since then.  –(FREEMAN)