DILG Investigating Kidnapping Of Children

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang said yesterday the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) is conducting an investigation into the spate of kidnapping of children in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

"Pinapaimbestiga kung paano at bakit nagkakaroon ng prevalence of kidnapping ng mga bata [There is an investigation on how and why there is a prevalence of kidnapping among children]," Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in a press briefing yesterday.

"We have asked (DILG) Secretary [Jesse] Robredo to look into it," he said.

The order came after reports of a foiled attempt to kidnap two girls, aged three and four, in Quezon City by men who attempted to drag the children into a van. The mother of the children fought off the would-be kidnappers, who wore balaclavas to hide their identity, with a badminton racket. The men escaped in the van.