"Sir, we've got updates on the child abduction and trafficking syndicate that appeared on our radar a while back." Alex walked in with his tablet.
"What's the news?" Det. Torres took his seat as Alex flashed the update onto the screen.
"We've received requests from the neighbouring Southeast Asian countries to assist them in investigations. Namely Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Cambodia." Alex replied.
"It's an international syndicate?" Det. Torres questioned.
"The local police in these countries have reported numerous cases of missing children from smaller orphanages. It's inferred that these smugglers work to bring orphaned children across these countries, including the Philippines, wherever demand is high." Alex swiped to the next slide.
"Demand? What demand?" Det. Torres furrowed his eyebrows.
"Demand for orphans available for adoption. Many rich couples and families who are unable to find matches through legal adoption centres turn to these brokers who promise them a fuss-free and quick way to adopt a child either within or outside the country. These couples come from all over Asia and even the West." Alex explained.
"What else do we have on the situation happening here?" Jayden looked through the information.
"The smugglers here not only target orphans but also children of poorer families. They tell parents that the children would have their education and living expenses sponsored but after a while, the parents lost contact with their children. By the time they realise that it's a scam, their children are no longer in Philippines." Alex sighed.
"So these smugglers engage in cross-border adoption to make it harder for the parents and authorities to track the children down?" Jayden understood the syndicate's modus operandi immediately.
"Bingo. The further they are from their home country, the harder it gets to track." Alex nodded.
"What can we do to help?" Sabrina frowned.
"For now, the instructions are to dig deeper into the workings of the syndicate and get a better understanding of what is happening here." Alex relayed the message from the higher-ups.
"Send out notes to our informants on the ground and get them to look out for any possible links to this syndicate." Det. Torres ordered.
"Yes, Sir." The team replied.
~
"Dr Tricia, we've got a pediatric case." Nurse Rose paged Tricia.
"Coming." Tricia abandoned her half-eaten lunch and left for the ER.
"Female, 4 years. Found wandering alone on the streets with superficial cuts and abrasions." Nurse Rose gave Tricia a run down on the patient sitting before her.
"Hi sweetie, ako si Dr Tricia. Anong pangalan mo?" Tricia bent down and smiled at the child. Instead of answering, the girl stared at Tricia with a blank look on her face.
"Naiintindihan mo ba ako?" Tricia tried again. The girl didn't react.
"What's your name?" Tricia switched to English.
"K...A...E...L...A..." The girl spelled her name.
"Kaela? That's a nice name. I'm Dr Tricia. Can I take a look at your hands and feet?" Tricia was relieved.
"It hurts..." Kaela flinched even when Tricia touched her gently.
"Sorry sweetie, I'll be gentle. Can you tell me how you got hurt?" Tricia looked at Kaela, who just shook her head.
ESTÁS LEYENDO
Light in the Dark
RomanceTo Tricia, Detective Jayden Rivera was a little too reckless and aloof for her liking. Yet Tricia couldn't help but pay attention to him every time Jayden appeared before her. To Jayden, Dr Tricia Robredo was a little too warm-hearted and emotional...
