2 girls snatched, rescued in Parañaque

MANILA, Philippines - Residents of Barangay Merville in Parañaque City rescued two girls minutes after they were snatched by an unidentified man yesterday afternoon.

The man initially grabbed a 10-year-old girl along a street in South Admiral Village and tried to drag her away. The victim managed to shout for help, prompting residents to run after the suspect.

The suspect used the girl as a human shield but eventually let her go. He then grabbed an eight-year-old girl and also used her as a shield, according to city police chief Senior Superintendent Billy Beltran.

The residents told police that the suspects threw stones at them, prompting them to hit him with rocks. 

The suspect was hit in the forehead, causing him to fall unconscious. He was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

“We will file charges against the suspect as soon as he is released from the hospital,” Beltran said.

A security guard and the mother of one of the victims, Arlene Torres, were also hurt in the incident.

Investigators have yet to determine the suspect’s motive for grabbing the girls.