i have been alerted by one of my egroupmates in usapangbabae (yahoogroup) regarding the disappearance of some children in batangas. this is very alarming since the kids who would play in the vicinity of their homes, could be snatched in broad daylight, when the adults are at work or busy with the house chores.
i am quoting one news story related to this which was written by paul gutierrez:
"Gang selling human parts seizes 30 kids?
By: Paul M. Gutierrez
Many families in Batangas are in a state of anguish over the disappearance of their children.
Report said at least 30 children in the province have been missing and feared kidnapped by a syndicate selling human parts.
Chief Supt. Ricardo Ilagan Padilla , Region 4A police director , said he has ordered an in-depth investigation of the mysterious incidents that finally caught his attention after this reporter and a colleague from the media sought clarification from him.
Padilla said he has alerted the police directors of Batangas , Cavite , Laguna , Rizal and Quezon after receiving reports that at least two toddlers were reported missing and believed to have been abducted by a crime syndicate in Ibaan , Batangas.
There were already reports of the mysterious disappearance of scores of toddlers particularly in several towns of the eastern section of Batangas who may have been victimized by the syndicate.
The two who are still missing were identified as Patricia M. Patena , five years old , and Fatima V Bosita , 6 , who both left their houses in Poblacion , Ibaan last Feb. 19 but failed to return their houses since then.
The worried families of the missing kids sought police help in view of an alarming report that scores of toddlers are also missing in the neighboring towns of San Jose , Ibaan , Padre Garcia and Rosario , all located in the eastern part of Batangas.
They feared about a persistent report that a dreaded syndicate said to be involved in selling body parts particularly eyes and internal organs may have been involved in the disappearance of their kids.
Padilla said he is still verifying the parents' claim that their children had fallen victims of the same crime ring who allegedly make huge money out of selling human eyes and other body parts to potential buyers in Metro Manila and even in other countries like the U.S. , China , Japan and Taiwan.
It was gathered that the syndicate usually strikes in the early afternoon until early evening and police said they are verifying reports taht about thirty toddlers have already been victimized by the gang in the said Batangas towns."
the disappearance of patricia and fatima was confirmed by their own relatives. there's no word from the kidnappers which means they aren't interested in any ransom money. add to the fact that the families of these children are not well-off.
last december 2006, the family of ysabel sim asked for my help regarding the disappearance of this 3 year old kid. the kid was playing with an older cousin outside of their gate (in manila) while the nanny was washing some of her clothes just a few feet away. in a snap, she was gone. there were reports that she was snatched by a man in a van. a year after, she was found in mindanao. apparently, a man who speaks visayan-muslim, sold her to a childless couple. but before she was sold to the couple, ysabel was used by a syndicate to beg in the streets of metro manila.
let's take extra care of our children. remind them to avoid talking to strangers and to ask help when men or women insist on taking them. lock the gates and doors and never allow them to play outside when adults are not with them.
to our police authorities and the department of social welfare and development, i suggest that you round-up the children who beg in the streets. parents or adults who would claim them should provide an i.d., barangay certificate that confirms the relationship of the adult and the child, birth certificate of the child, and probably a picture of the adult and child that was taken when the child was younger.
we live in uncertain and dangerous times. we have to protect the children.
