Newborn abandoned at church in Pili, Camarines Sur

A newborn baby boy was found near the confessional at the Christ the King Parish in Barangay Palestina, Pili, Camarines Sur.In the CCTV footage obtained from the church, a man and a woman were seen entering with a baby. However, they were no longer carrying the baby when they exited the church moments later. A few minutes later, churchgoers found the newborn abandoned near the confessional area. Local authorities responded immediately and the baby was taken to the Rural Health Unit for medical attention. The baby was moved later to the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) and turned over to a childcare facility."Tigdara mi muna sa RHU, pig-check-up si aki, okay man po. Nagkataon po duman, may medical mission duman, tapos na-turnover sa MSWDO. Yaun na man duman si mga tauhan kang MSWD, tapos sa womens desk kang PNP Pili," Alfonso Lovenario Jr., a councilman of Barangay Palestina, said.The baby is currently under the care of MSWDO. The infant will be sheltered for a maximum of three days before a legal process is initiated and the baby can be up for adoption, considering that no one claims parental responsibility, at least as of this writing.Mayor Tomas Bongalonta Jr. encouraged the mother to come forward."Dae sinda magtago ta halimbawa ito, winalat niya, anong malay ta baka igwa pang problema siya sa salud dahil kaito ay siya ang madidiskwido, si buhay niya. Mas magayon na ito na maglantad na lugod siya ngunyan, ipahayag niya tanganing at least matabangan siya," Bongalonta said.Abandoning a child is a violation of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.The Pili Municipal Police Station, through its Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD), is investigating the case.The mother, if identified, may face charges related to child abandonment. Authorities are also seeking to identify the individuals who were seen going to church with a baby."Mayo pang nakakabisto [kang duwa], pero ang satuya pong WCPD investigator ay naghahanap ning clear footage ning CCTV sa area tanganing ma-identify itong duwa. Itong personality duman, sarong babae, sarong lalaki, and possible, makua din si identity kaitong sasakyan na ginamit para ma-identify ta sinda," PCPT. Junar Rodriguez of Pili MPS, said.