What to do when you find missing kids

MANILA, Philippines – A photo of two girls who were allegedly found in Barangay Camias in San Miguel town in Bulacan is making the rounds online.

Based on a viral Facebook post by Michael JB Santos, the two children are from Quezon City but ended up in Bulacan. It is not yet clear how the children were found.

Santos identified one of the girls as Ruth Anne Bonotano, 6, who was with her younger cousin.

“Please help these two angels get home. They’re missing…They were sent to our home by some good samaritans this afternoon,” Santos posted on Monday, August 31.

The girls, according to the post, are currently in the custody of Melvin Santos, barangay captain (village chief) of Camias. 

“They are in good condition. Please contact Captain Melvin Santos at 09352492922,” the post added.

What are the appropriate steps to take when you find missing kids? 

1. File a blotter

According to Erlinda Agila, planning officer for the Council for Welfare of Children (CWC), an attached agency of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the first thing to do is to file a blotter or report in the nearest police station or barangay office where the kids are found. 

“The first thing most parents who lose their kids do is to file a report with the barangay or the Philippine National Police (PNP). That’s what you should do when you find missing kids so the response can be coordinated,” Agila said.

A blotter is not a complaint but a formal report or record of activity to authorities that may or may not be related to crimes. 

2. Turn over to DSWD

After filing a report, Agila added, people who found the kids need to turn them over to the nearest DSWD office.

“Since they are not the kids’ relatives or legal guardians, they need to turn over the custody to the nearest social welfare office – in the case of the viral photo, San Miguel town’s social welfare office,” Agila said.

She added, “This is for the safety of the kids and those who found them. The kids need to have the proper and legal supervision. The finders need to turn them over so they won’t be suspected of kidnapping the kids.” 

Agila maintained that it is illegal for finders to keep the children in their custody regardless of their motives.

3. Also alert Patrol 117

While the government still has no hotlines that parents who lose their children can call, Agila said the response can also be coordinated with the nationwide emergency hotline number 117.

“Our communities are relatively small, so once we file a formal report, it would be easy to coordinate response to missing kids,” Agila added. 

Michael and the barangay captain have yet to respond to MovePH’s request for more information about the situation of the children. – With a report from David Lozada/Rappler.com