DAVAO CITY — Police authorities here reaffirmed their firm stance on child protection after the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) successfully rescued a missing minor and arrested the suspect in a decisive hot-pursuit operation spanning two provinces.
The incident involved an alleged violation of Article 270 of the Revised Penal Code, specifically Failure to Return a Minor, which occurred on December 23 at around 11:30 a.m. inside the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT). The incident was formally reported to police at about 3:45 p.m. the same day.
Acting City Director PCOL Mannan Caracas Muarip lauded the swift operational response of DCPO units, emphasizing the office’s unwavering dedication to safeguarding children and enforcing the law without delay.
“The immediate response and decisive actions taken by our personnel demonstrate the Davao City Police Office’s firm resolve to protect our children and uphold public safety,” Muarip said in an official statement. “From the moment the incident was reported, our investigators and operating units worked relentlessly to track the suspect, recover the minor, and ensure accountability under the law.”
The DCPO’s Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD) spearheaded the operations through CCTV backtracking, intelligence validation, and close coordination with police forces in Kidapawan City and Carmen, North Cotabato.
These efforts culminated in the suspect’s arrest at around 6:50 p.m. on December 24 in Sitio Kilabao, Barangay Kimadzil, Carmen, North Cotabato, where the minor was also safely recovered.
Muarip further highlighted that the swift rescue mission reflects the DCPO’s adherence to its operational pillars under the D.A.V.A.O. Framework—Discipline, Action, Virtue, Accountability, and Order.
“These principles guide every operation we conduct,” he stressed. “We will continue to pursue offenders and protect the most vulnerable members of our community.”
Police assured that all legal procedures are being observed as the investigation progresses, with the suspect now facing appropriate charges.
DCPO encouraged the public to remain vigilant and promptly report incidents involving the safety and welfare of children to authorities for immediate action.