Family seeks help to find missing boy

CEBU, Philippines - A nine-year-old boy from Barangay Capitol Site, Cebu City has been reported missing by his family after he ran away from his father on their way home Thursday last week.

Meanwhile, an unidentified person reportedly attempted to kidnap a female Grade 9 student of a night high school in Barangay Guadalupe Monday.

According to Guadalupe Police Station chief Senior Inspector Elisandro Quijano, the 14-year-old student was on her way home when an unidentified person dragged her to a black van, but the minor fortunately managed to escape from the alleged abductors.

Quijano said they are still conducting a thorough investigation into the alleged attempted kidnapping and checking closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras near the crime scene to shed light on the allegation.

Police are also looking for witnesses and coordinating with the school of the victim to hasten the resolution of the alleged crime.

Quijano said there is no circumstantial evidence yet that will prove the reported attempted abduction incident claimed by the girl.

As to the missing schoolboy, his family and police are asking for the public's help in their search for Lex Aldrich Geganto, a Grade 3 pupil at Guadalupe Elementary School.

Geganto, described to be around 4 feet 2 inches in height, with fair complexion and black hair and of medium build, has gone missing since March 23. He was wearing a yellow green shirt.

Police dismissed claims that Geganto was dragged by unidentified men inside a white van, saying the victim ran away from his father, 30-year-old Alexander Geganto, on their way home from Guadalupe Elementary School.

Alexander, a father of two, has been worrying about his son’s condition and whereabouts. In fact, flyers with the photo of the boy were posted along the roads in Capitol Site.

The father narrated that they were crossing the street when suddenly his son ran towards the direction of his classmate who called Lex Aldrich to play computer games.

Alexander said he tried to catch up with his son but vehicles came in between. Still, he tried to chase a kid who was wearing a yellow green shirt but only to find out that he was a wrong one.

He clarified that he did not reprimand his son before he ran away. Prior to the incident, he said he was busy attending to their daily needs and managing the family’s small business. His wife works as a call center agent.

According to him, this is the second incident Alex Aldrich failed to come home.

The first one was when he was invited by a classmate to also play computer games in an internet shop in Subangdaku, Mandaue City. He did not come home for two days until concerned barangay officials brought him home.

Quijano said he assigned her personnel to help look for the boy and to coordinate with the school for progress reports.

“We have nothing to worry pero wa ta kahibaw sa sitwasyon.  At least malayo ta sa disgrasya,”Quijano said.

Quijano reminded parents or guardians to always tell their children not to talk to strangers to avoid untoward incidents. — Mae Clydyl L. Avila and Ermida Q. Moradas (FREEMAN)