Newborn baby abandoned in Malabon

A newborn baby boy was abandoned along Santol Road, at the corner of MacArthur Highway in Barangay Potrero, Malabon City, on Monday morning.

Marlyn Amado, a 20-year-old vendor, discovered the baby after a man approached her and informed her that a baby had been seen in a bag a few meters from her sidewalk stall.

Amado reported the incident to the local barangay, which forwarded the case to the Malabon City Police Sub-Station 1, under PLT Benedicto Zafra.

According to Police Captain Laline Almosa, chief of the Investigation Section of Malabon City Police, the man who reported the incident to Amado was later identified as the one who left the baby on the sidewalk.

CCTV footage captured the man around 6 a.m., carrying a red eco bag containing the baby. He was later seen placing the bag beside a white pickup truck before leaving the area.

Police said they are still reviewing CCTV footage to determine the man's origin and possible identity.

The baby, whose umbilical cord was still attached, was brought to San Lorenzo Ruiz General Hospital, where he is currently receiving medical care.

“Upon the initial check-up by the doctors, they didn’t discover anything unusual from the baby, overall, he was okay,” Almosa said.

Once the suspect is arrested, Almosa said he will face charges related to abandonment and violations of Republic Act No. 7610, also known as the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.