Abandoned newborn rescued from shopping bag in Santa Barbara, Iloilo

A newborn infant has been rescued after she was found inside a shopping bag hanging from a makeshift bamboo structure by the side of the road in Cabugao Sur in Santa Barbara, Iloilo. 

According to the report of GMA Regional TV’s John Sala in “24 Oras” on Wednesday, the baby was found by a couple last Tuesday evening. She was newly born with the umbilical stump still attached.

“When we opened it, the baby was smiling at us and moving. She looks normal. The barangay health worker was worried so we decided to bring her to the center,” barangay tanod Ernesto Latoza Jr. said in Ilonggo. 

The infant was later transferred to Western Visayas Sanitarium and General Hospital, where she is being monitored. 

The police said the mother was probably not a resident of the town, as there were no reports of expecting mothers or someone who gave birth before the incident. 

“It’s either that she just left her in the area. The mother passed by and left the child so someone could easily notice her,” said Santa Barbara Municipal Police Station chief Captain Raphy Señeres. 

Identifying the mother would be challenging because there was no CCTV where the infant was found. 

The police said the mother could face charges for violation of RA 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BM, GMA Integrated News