4-year-old boy allegedly kidnapped in Cebu City returned to family

A CCTV footage captured the moment a man allegedly kidnapped a 4-year-old child who was playing in North Reclamation area in Cebu City on Tuesday, October 24,2023. | Contributed photo via Paul Lauro

CEBU CITY, Philippines — A 4-year-old boy, who was allegedly kidnapped by an unknown male suspect in the North Reclamation Area near the North Bus Terminal in Cebu City on Tuesday morning, October 24, 2023, has been reunited with his great-grandmother.

The child was reportedly playing with another child near a gasoline station when a man grabbed him and took him somewhere far at around 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday.

READ: Kidnapped Chinese businesswoman rescued in Bohol; 6 men nabbed

Boy found in Colon Street

A woman then found the boy, who was allegedly abandoned along Colon Street in downtown Cebu City on Tuesday night.

The boy was found crying all alone and was brought by the woman to the Carbon Police Station where he was claimed by his family.

As of this writing, the child is safely back at home in North Reclamation Area. 

READ: Mandaue police rescue girl who was kidnapped, placed inside suitcase

CCTV footage show man, who took boy

A closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage showed the moment when a man was walking with the child riding piggyback on his back near a gasoline station in the area.

In the footage, the man can be seen wearing shorts and a white sleeveless shirt.

The boy’s great-grandmother, 81-year-old Salvacion Bueno, immediately reported the alleged abduction to the Mabolo Police Station after she couldn’t find him anywhere.

READ: Lapu-Lapu police share tips: Don’t accept rides from strangers to avoid being kidnapped, abducted

Grandma of 4-year-old seeks help

The woman then went to the local radio station dyHP and called for help from the public in locating her great-grandson whom she had been raising on her own.

According to her, her great-grandson was playing together with another child in the area near their house when he was allegedly taken.

The man allegedly dragged the child by the hand and forced him to ride piggyback on his back. 

READ: Young kidnap victim in Mandaue claims suspect kissed her mouth and private parts

4-year-old boy was taken somewhere far

The boy told CDN Digital that he walked with the man who took him somewhere far.

In an interview with dyHP, Bueno said that she did not know the man who took her great-grandson. She also expressed her happiness that her grandson was returned safely.