Other facilities urged to be more wary, too

CEBU, Philippines – Taking cue from the recent case of baby kidnapping at Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City, Mayor Paz Radaza has urged medical facilities in Lapu-Lapu City to review their own security measures.

Radaza particularly reminded Lapu-Lapu City Hospital officials to make sure their security guards are vigilant at all times.

She said she has earlier called the attention of the city-run hospital over reports that some security guards there leave their designated areas to perform other functions.

"Ang ako lang, naa sila’y (security guards) mag-atiman, mo-welcome kung asa ang mga lugar moadto ang pasiyente, mao ra gyud na," Radaza said.

The city-owned hospital in Barangay Gun-ob does not have sufficient closed-circuit television cameras, according to Radaza, but she said they are hoping to install more of such devices this year.

Incidentally, the Lapu-Lapu City Council yesterday passed the CCTV/Video Surveillance System Ordinance which requires business establishments and schools in the city to put up surveillance systems in their premises.

Radaza said government establishments are likewise covered by the said ordinance. In fact, she said the city will provide budget for the acquisition of CCTV cameras to be installed in public areas and offices in the city.

In Cebu City, acting mayor Edgardo Labella also asked hospitals and related establishments to heighten their safety measures and to be more cautious in overseeing the security of their patients.

Such calls came on the heels of the alleged abduction of a two-day-old baby at VSMMC on Monday noon.

The suspect, who was identified as Melissa Londres, 26, was already arrested on Tuesday night and is set to face charges from both the real parents of the baby and the hospital. (FREEMAN)