Police have arrested a woman who allegedly kidnapped an 11-month-old baby boy at the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT).

Based on the complaint of the baby’s mother, she was working at a store inside the terminal on December 23, 2025 with her baby and 13-year-old daughter when the suspect approached them and invited them to eat.

After eating, the suspect allegedly asked to take the two children to her boarding house as she would give them clothes, but the mother refused.

Later, the suspect insisted on accompanying the children to buy burgers to which the mother declined initially until she was reportedly forced to agree.

Authorities said the suspect deceived the 13-year-old girl by telling her to give the burger to their mother, and that was the time when the suspect took the baby away.

When the suspect failed to return, the mother searched for her baby but was unsuccessful, prompting her to seek help from the police.

Through CCTV footage, authorities discovered that the suspect brought the baby to Midsayap, North Cotabato.

The baby was rescued and returned to his parents.

The suspect was arrested and will face charges for kidnapping and failure to return a minor under Article 270 of the Revised Penal Code.

“The immediate response and decisive actions taken by our personnel demonstrate the Davao City Police Office’s firm resolve to protect our children and uphold public safety. From the moment the incident was reported, our investigators and operating units worked relentlessly to track the suspect, recover the minor, and ensure accountability under the law,” Davao City Police Office (DCPO) Director, Col. Mannan Muarip, said.

Meanwhile, DCOTT has tightened travel requirements, especially for passengers traveling with children, and has also set up a Child and Women Desk at the terminal.