Baby found abandoned, left outside sari-sari store

CEBU, Philippines - A newborn baby was found alive inside a box yesterday morning in Sitio New Sangi Road, Baranagay Pajo, Lapu-Lapu City.

Mussah Ustal, 37, a resident of the area, said that she did not know at first that there was a baby inside the carton box left on a table in front of a sari-sari store next to hers.

"Wala gani ko magtagad kay busy sad ko. Gisangpit ko sa silingan kay dunay nagti-ngog," Ustal said, adding that they found the baby girl around 5:10 in the morning.

She said a male neighbor, who was standing across the sari-sari store that morning, heard the small cries. He followed the sound leading them to the box where they found the baby wrapped in white cloth.

He then called Ustal, who was attending to her own store.

Ustal said she found a black bag and an adult-sized jacket under the baby.

Ustal called the police to report the incident and was advised by the latter to refer it to the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Apart from DSWD, Ustal also called the Emergency Response Unit Foundation in order to send the baby to the nearest hospital.

Ustal went to the Lapu-Lapu City Hospital with the ERUF responders and volunteered to carry the baby, who was still crying.

"Nanawag mi og police giingnan mi nga i-adto sa DSWD, dugay man. Ang ERUF ang niresponde. Gikugos nako ang karton kay naa pa'y inunlan," she said.

As of press time, the baby was still in the hospital and was given medical assistance.

Police Officer 3 Joseph Rouel Cutanda of Lapu-Lapu City Police Office- Homicide Section, who responded to the area, said they are conducting an investigation to determine the identity of the baby's mother.

Cutanda said they plan to turn over the baby to the DSWD. (FREEMAN)