Man nabbed for ‘kidnap try’ on 5-year-old

Authorities arrested a man who allegedly attempted to kidnap a five-year-old boy at his school by posing as his father, Marisol Abdurahman reported Friday on “24 Oras.”

According to the five-year-old "John's" teacher, they were waiting for the child’s guardian at the school gate before 11 a.m. on Thursday when the suspect approached them and introduced himself as the parent who would fetch the boy.

“Sabi nya sa bata, 'Halika ka na, 'di ba ako yung daddy mo?' Tapos tinanong ko 'yung bata, 'Daddy mo siya? Kilala mo siya?' Sabi nung bata hindi. Hindi siya lumapit, hindi niya rin nahawakan 'yung bata kasi hindi ko binigay. Hawak ko 'yung dalawang balikat niya,” said teacher Jeryl Ombid.

(He said, "Let’s go. I am your father, right?" I asked the child, "Is he your dad? Do you know him?" The child said, "No." The suspect was not able to approach us or hold the child because I refused to let him have the child. I held on to the boy's shoulders.)

Identified as Michael Buenaventura, the suspect immediately left the scene after the alleged foiled attempt. CCTV footage recorded the suspect leaving the school. Barangay officials later apprehended the suspect.

However, Buenaventura denied the accusations, saying the whole matter was merely a "joke."

“Hindi totoo 'yun. Hindi ko nga nahawakan 'yung bata eh. Ang layo-layo ko. Nagbiro lang kasi ako. Kasi sabi nung teacher, 'Kaninong anak to?' Napasigaw lang ako 'Ako, ako ang tatay niyan’,” he said.

(That’s not true. I did not even reach for the child. I was far away from them. And I was just joking because the teacher asked, "Who is the child’s parent?" So I blurted out, "I'm the father.")

The victim and his mother said they were frightened by the incident.

She explained her sibling brought John to school, but it coincided with the dismissal period of other students. This led to John being mixed up with those who were on their way home.

“Parang ayoko na sana siya pag-aralin muna kasi nga may trabaho po ako,” she said.

School authorities thanked Ombid for her vigilance and swift action. They said stricter rules would be implemented to prevent similar situations.

Among the actions to be taken would be to issue fetcher-identification cards. These would prove that those who would pick up students are the parents or guardians of the child.

Meanwhile, police reminded children never to go with strangers, and parents and teachers should immediately report such incidents.

“Sa mga magulang no? See to it na yung mga magulang ang maghahatid, wag iaasa sa iba. Pangalawa, dun naman sa mga teachers, wag na lang basta-basta ibibigay ang mga bata lalong lalo na kung magpapakilalang kamag-anak o magulang,” P/Lt. Col. Von June Nuyda, Novaliches Police Station Commander, said.

(For the parents, see to it that you will bring your children to school. Do not rely on other people. Second, teachers, do not just hand over the kids, especially to those introducing themselves as their parents or relatives.) — Sundy Mae Locus/DVM, GMA News