5-year-old rescued in Cebu from abductor

A five-year-old boy in Cebu was rescued on Tuesday from his abductor who is reportedly a member of his parents’ church group, police said.

Authorities said the rescue operation took place at about 8:45 p.m. at the Montesclaros Pension House and Dormitory located along Cebu City's Pelaez Extension.

Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG) head Senior Superintendent Roberto Fajardo said the suspect, Allan Ramos Quilbo, 58, took the child earlier this month from his home in Bacolod.

“[The] suspect took the child last January 4, 2015 in Bacolod City by asking permission from the parents to bring the minor to a store to buy a coloring book. Since then, the suspect did not return the victim but instead demanded ransom money from the parents in exchange for the release of victim,” a statement from the PNP-AKG said.

However, the police said before the boy was rescued, his parents were forced to deposit P16,000 to the account of the suspect.

The victim's parents contacted the police when the kidnapper failed to return the boy even after the payment was made.

The child has since been reunited with his parents, and has undergone medical examination, Fajardo said.

Meanwhile, a Kidnapping-for-ransom case will be filed against the suspect. — Patricia Denise Chiu/LBG, GMA News