Kidnapped toddler rescued in QC

MANILA, Philippines - A three-year-old girl, kidnapped more than a week ago, was rescued at a bus terminal in Quezon City yesterday.

Police officers from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested the toddler’s alleged kidnapper, Baby Nelda Diwa, at the Baliwag Bus terminal along EDSA at around 7:40 a.m. She reportedly kidnapped the child to force her boyfriend to reconcile with her.

The girl’s mother, Maria Aiza Inguito, 22, of Barangay Canumay West in Valenzuela City, told Superintendent Emma Libunao – who heads the CIDG’s women and children protection division – that Diwa invited her to buy some groceries at a supermarket along Paso de Blas in Valenzuela on Jan. 23.

Police said that because Inguito knew Diwa as the estranged girlfriend of her cousin, Albert Talamo, she accepted the invitation.

When they were at the checkout counter, Diwa reportedly took the girl and told Inguito she forgot to buy the child some chocolates. Diwa did not return, Inguito told police.

Inguito called her husband and they searched for their daughter, police said. Hours later, Diwa reportedly sent Inguito text messages threatening to kill the child unless Talamo reconciles with her, police said. After the couple agreed to work on Diwa’s demand, they sought the CIDG’s help.

The CIDG is preparing to charge Diwa with kidnapping and failure to return a minor.