KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato — Authorities have intensified their manhunt for a woman who allegedly abducted a newborn baby from the South Cotabato Provincial Hospital on Sunday morning, November 23, 2025, as new details reveal the suspect had been in contact with the infant’s parents even before the abduction.
The baby’s father, Ryan Malinog, of Barangay Lunen, Tupi, said the woman posed as a hospital nurse and convinced him that the newborn needed to undergo additional screening. While Malinog was processing discharge documents, the suspect disappeared with the child.
Further investigation showed the woman had been loitering near the couple since November 22, offering assistance and even telling them to message her through what is now believed to be a Facebook account under the name “Jhea Marie Sandoval.”
Witness Ry-ry Guanzon, a resident of Purok Everlasting, Barangay Avanceña, reported seeing the suspect at around 10:30 a.m. on Sunday carrying bags and the newborn as she emerged from a bamboo area before riding a tricycle headed for Marbel. A bag left behind by the suspect contained the baby’s pajamas and a sling bag belonging to the family.
Tricycle driver Bobby Siman later confirmed he transported the suspect from Barangay Avanceña to St. Gabriel. He recalled she was wearing a green hospital uniform and remained silent throughout the trip. Only after hearing about the missing newborn did he realize his passenger matched the suspect’s description.
CCTV footage from the hospital also captured the woman, wearing a facemask and bundled in a shawl, as she carried the baby while exiting the facility.
Authorities have since issued a WANTED advisory, releasing the suspect’s photo—though investigators caution it may be tied to a fabricated online identity.
Additional information surfaced Monday that the baby’s clothing was found abandoned in Barangay Avanceña, raising further concern about the suspect’s movements and the infant’s safety.
Police and hospital security personnel are conducting a full-scale investigation to establish the suspect’s identity and location. They are appealing to anyone who may recognize or have seen the woman to immediately report to the nearest police station.
As of this writing, the newborn remains missing, and the search is ongoing.