Baby left beside Mary’s image

CEBU, Philippines - An abandoned baby boy was found by a security guard beside the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe inside the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral Tuesday evening.

The baby, believed to be four days old, was turned over by the guard to the officials of Barangay Santo Niño allegedly upon the instruction of the priest.

Barangay Captain Pancho Ramirez Sr. said the guard was having a routine inspection before closing the church when he found the baby past 8 p.m.

The baby was wrapped in a red jacket with his umbilical cord stump still attached. Mosquitoes were noticed flying around the baby when the guard found him.

Ramirez said the barangay employees took turns in taking care of the baby after he was discharged from the hospital where he was immediately brought for checkup after he was found.

According to Ramirez, they would have wanted to take care of the baby but it is not possible because they need to turn over him to the proper government agency.

“Nagkasabot na gud unta me nga amo lang ni siyang buhi-on nya puli-puli lang mi’g bantay,” Ramirez said.

The baby was turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development Wednesday night.

Ramirez said a couple has come and expressed interest to adopt the baby. The couple reportedly wanted to name the baby “Bishop” because they wanted him to become a Catholic bishop someday.  (FREEMAN)