GenSan alarmed over cases of abandoned babies

The local government of General Santos City has sounded the alarm over several incidents involving abandoned newborn babies in the city.

Authorities said several cases have been recorded in different barangays over the past months.

According to the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), at least eight cases of abandoned babies were logged from January 1, 2024 to October 13, 2025.

Among these cases included a fetus found dumped in a drainage canal in Barangay Apopong in October 2025. In September, a dead newborn boy was discovered in a small canal in Barangay Dadiangas West.

Earlier incidents also included a dead baby boy found in Barangay Lagao in August, a baby boy left at the gate of an establishment in Barangay Katangawan in July, a dead baby girl thrown into an irrigation canal also in Barangay Katangawan in June, and another baby boy abandoned inside an electric jeepney in the same period. In September 2024, a baby girl was found alive in the comfort room of a beach resort in Barangay Tambler.

“Sala na uy, sala na hangtod sa atung Ginoo, mortal nga sala,” a resident, Enrequita Rebella, said.

The local government cited some possible reasons why these cases happened.

“Ito ang speculations ko may mga teenage pregnancy tayo. Takot magsabi sa parents na buntis sila so if they’re pregnant iniipit ang tiyan nila itatapon ang bata kung maglabas. Second, I’m sorry to say yun mga nagatrabaho sa night club, they can also be a suspect. I’m not saying I’m condemning them. Third, these are from students,” City Mayor’s Office Executive Assistant, Atty. Maria Lourdes Casabuena, said.

The local government has formed a technical working group to address the issue.

“Nagkaroon ng technical working group to look into sa very concerning issues sa GenSan. Sa napag-usapan is the policy support na i-create na talagang may tututok sa prevention,” CSWDO Head Genelene Vidanes, said.

Police are also considering the possibility of illegal abortion practices in the city.

“Alam namin na merong mga nagahilot hilot ganyan pero yung person na point na isang abortionista di po namin masabi,” Women and Children Protection Desk of the General Santo City Police Office, Staff Sergeant Cherryl Apiang, said.

Authorities have put measures in place to prevent similar incidents.

“At present we now have 10 birthing homes so on top of 29 private birthing homes so doon pa lang na po-provide na natin yung tamang pag-aalaga sa mga buntis and nandoon din yung counselling natin na kung maari wag talaga nilang ipapalaglag or kung may miscarriage man dapat nadadala sa appropriate facility,” City Health Office Assistant Department Head, Dr. Karl Igrobay, said.

“CSWDO kauban ang partner nato nga NGO we are more than willing to support duol lang gyud sila…We are organizing foster families katung dili maka provide og maayo nga future sa ilang bata. Naa tay ready nga mga accredited nga mga pamilya nga willing muukop sa mga bata ipaagi natu sa maayong proceso,” Vidanes added. — GMA Regional TV