4-year-old boy in Zamboanga City rescued from abusive stepdad

Authorities rescued a 4-year-old boy in Zamboanga City who was allegedly physically abused by his stepfather. 

According to Katrina Son’s report in “24 Oras Weekend” on Sunday, police found the child weak and bruised in their residence in Barangay Mampang on Friday, April 3. 

The police responded to the scene after the victim’s mother reported the abuse allegedly inflicted by her partner since April 2.

“The mother managed to escape from the house while our suspect was in the restroom. She reported it to the police immediately. When the police responded, they found the child and the mother there. The child was covered in bruises,” said Police Captain Adzmar Anjawang, chief of the Zamboanga City Police Office’s Police Station 12.

The suspect allegedly used a bamboo stick to harm the child.

“But the suspect was not around when the police arrived. The mother also said that the suspect also hurt her,” Anjawang said.

The child was confined in the hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU) after suffering wounds on his face, bruises on his body, and a fractured nose. 

The victim’s grandmother later said the child is no longer in the ICU and is slowly recovering from his injuries.

The suspect was later arrested.

“He said he just felt a physical urge to be violent toward the child,” Anjawang. said 

GMA News is trying to reach out to the victim’s mother and the suspect for comments.

The suspect will face various charges such as serious physical injuries in relation to child abuse and for allegedly abusing his partner. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/JMA, GMA News