Toddler rescued, kidnapper shot by mystery gunman

MANILA, Philippines - A two-year-old girl was rescued from a suspected drug addict who kidnapped her after he was shot by an unidentified gunman Monday night.

Chief Inspector Benny Basilio, city chief investigator, said the girl was in her house on A. Bonifacio street in Barangay Upper Bicutan when suspect Jay-R Villanueva allegedly grabbed her at about 10:30 p.m.

Villanueva, armed with a knife, ran with the girl towards Manalo street, where he entered a fitness gym.

The victim’s family chased Villanueva. When they reached the gym, they said they heard a gunshot and saw Villanueva fall to the floor.

Villanueva was critically wounded, while the girl sustained a stab wound in the nape, said Chief Inspector Jenny Tecson, public information chief of Southern Police District. They were rushed to the Pateros District Hospital, where the girl was declared in stable condition.

Basilio said the man who fired the gun is still unknown.