Cops rescue toddler forced to drink, smoke

MANILA, Philippines — Police on Monday rescued a two-year-old boy who was allegedly forced by his mother and stepfather to drink liquor and smoke a cigarette in Quezon City.

Brig. Gen. Joselito Esquivel Jr., Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director, said the boy was rescued at his mother’s home in Barangay Sta. Monica at around 8:30 a.m.

Police also took into custody the boy’s 25-year-old mother. His stepfather, 30-year-old Michael Ramores, was arrested in a follow-up operation at around 2 p.m. on the same day in Barangay Malanday, Marikina.

They are facing charges of child abuse.

The boy’s father went to the QCPD Station 4 after he saw a cell phone video of his ex-wife forcing their child to drink liquor and smoke a cigarette.

The video, which went viral on social media, was taken in a motel room in Barangay Socorro on May 18, he said.