Manila offers P.1 M for newborn's return, kidnapper's arrest

MANILA, Philippines - Acting Manila Mayor Isko Moreno offered a P100,000 reward yesterday for any information that would lead to the immediate recovery of a newborn girl taken from her mother’s arms at the Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center (OMMC) and the arrest of the “nurse” who kidnapped her.

Moreno said they hope the reward will help speed up the Manila Police District’s investigation.

Hospital authorities, however, said the baby’s parents – Joel Villamor, 27; and his live-in partner, who is 17 years old – reportedly behaved in an unusual manner after the baby’s loss was discovered.

In a report prepared by administrative officer Dr. Malaya Capulong, the hospital learned of baby’s disappearance at around 1:30 p.m. on April 29. Initial investigation showed that the baby was taken for weighing at around 10 p.m. the night before by a woman dressed up as a nurse.

“Even after 12 hours, the mother did not report that her baby was not returned to her. It was first found out that the baby was missing only when the nurse asked the mother where her baby was. According to witnesses, a person wearing a white uniform was talking to the mother while carrying the child and was even kissing the baby before she brought the baby out of the room,” the report said.

Hospital director Dr. Janet Tan said that the baby’s parents did not show any panic or hysteria, which should have been the normal reaction for parents who have lost a newborn baby.

She said Villamor was unusually calm, while the mother slept so soundly they were not able to get a statement from her. - Sandy Araneta, Nestor Etolle