CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—The helping hand of the Provincial Government of Pampanga through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) was once more extended as they rescued a 10-year old boy who went missing and was allegedly taken by a man last February.

According to the incident reports, the victim Raymart Peñalosa who resides in Calulut, City of San Fernando was taken by a scavenger named Wilford Baliwag aka “Potpot”.

It was found out that Baliwag is a perennial client at the Governor’s Office with an id that he allegedly used to get a free ride from Pampanga to Zambales with the Peñalosa.

According to Jill Matienzo of PSWDO, on the 3^rd of March, Peñalosa’s mother went to their office to seek assistance to find the missing 10 year old boy.

Officers of the PSWDO assisted the mother to disseminate information about the missing child and coordinate with the social workers and police departments in Subic, Zambales.

Matienzo added that the Governor’s Office provided financial assistance to the mother to augment on her transportation and document process fees.

As the days progress, the PSWDO coordinated with the Pampanga Provincial Police Office, the Zambales police departments, local officers from Calulut.

On March 28, Zambales police station reported that the child has been found.

The PSWDO then went to Subic Zambales together with Peñalosa’s mother to reunite the two.

According to investigation, Baliwag dragged Peñalosa to beg for loose change on the streets.

Interview on the victim also revealed that the 10 year old child appears to experienced molestation as well.

On that matter, Matienzo said that the Provincial Government also coordinated Medical Social Worker of the provincial hospital for medico legal services at the child protection unit.

As for Baliwag, Matienzo said that the suspect was released by the Subic Zambales Police Station because no charge was filed by the victims and that the case was referred to the San Fernando Police Department.