Mother of kidnapped boy blames drugs for sister’s involvement

By NITZ ARANCON
Correspondent

THE mother of a seven-year old boy who was rescued by authorities in Marawi City has blamed illegal drugs for her sister’s alleged participation in the kidnapping of her son.

The mother, Jerlyn Dy, said this even as she vowed to pursue the case filed against her elder sister Michelle Mercedez of Jasaan, Misamis Oriental.

Mercedez was wounded as her group engaged the police in a shootout in Marawi city on Friday.

The 26-year old Dy of Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, told a news conference that Mercedez and the husband were known to her to be users of illegal drugs, and were in need of money.

Dy said she was really hurt by what her sister did to her and her child. “Unsaon ta man nga iya man kong giunhan, so ako gyud siya nga ipa-preso bisag igsoon kami kay dili  sayon ang iyang gibuhat.”

City police director Senior Supt. Faro Antonio Olaguera said the suspects first demanded a P2-million ransom but they eventually settled for P500 thousand.

The boy, a first grader at the Sacred Heart Montessori in Bugo, was taken together with his 15-year old nanny outside the school in Feb. 12. Exactly a week later, they were rescued by the police in Barangay Matampay, Marawi.

The two kidnap victims were unscathed but two of the suspects–John Nasser Barao, 25, and Deleon Gumagadong–were killed.

Olaguera said Barao died on the spot while   Gumagadong succumbed at the Amay Pacpac Medical Center in Marawi.

Olaguera said charges of kidnapping and frustrated murder were filed against Mercedez and Monte Sultan Macaantal who were being treated at the Northern  Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC).

Mayor Oscar Moreno commended the police, and said city hall owed them a “blow out.”

Moreno then visited wounded Senior Insp. Ramses Cartagena and PO3 Jeremy Rivera, and pinned awards on them. (nitz arancon)