CEBU, Philippines - A 29-year-old single mother was arrested by the police Wednesday afternoon in Barangay Poblacion, San Fernando town after she allegedly buried her new born baby last week.
Jacquelyn Soroño, resident of Barangay Panadtaran, gave birth to a baby girl last Friday morning inside her uncle’s house where she is temporarily staying. Soroño reportedly drown the new born baby in a urinal pan full of water and urine.
Without anybody knowing her delivery of a baby, Soroño secretly buried the infant. However, a 14-year-old girl discovered the gravesite.
“Ang bata nga nakakita nahibulong nga nawala na ang tiyan pagawas unya nagkawot a few steps away lang sa balay (The child became suspicious),†said PO1 Mary Jane Estrera of the Women’s and Children’s Protection Desk.
The witness found the hole where the decomposing body of the baby was buried. The child informed their neighbors and the police.
Estrera told The FREEMAN the hole was so shallow that the foot of the baby was barely covered.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the police together with the Municipal Health Officer, Dr. Alfredo Manugas, went to Barangay Poblacion where Soroño was arrested.
Soroño allegedly had a boyfriend whom she met in a videoke house. The man left her after she got pregnant.
Soroño said she did not intend to bury her baby. She allegedly thought that the baby was a stillborn because she did not hear her crying.
“Wala nako gituyo o giplano ang paglubong sa akong anak kay nawala ko sa huna-huna kay na-blanko ko kay ako ra usa,(I did not intend nor plan to bury my child. I was out of my mind because I was alone)†Soroño said in an interview over TV5 Aksyon Balita.
Police are now preparing a criminal complaint for infanticide against Soroño. (FREEMAN)