ANGELES CITY—Mayor Carmelo Lazatin, Jr. will turn over a P100,000 reward today to the couple who ensured the safe return of Margaux Alliyah “Ally” Dela Cruz, the five-year-old girl who was reported missing last Sunday, March 17.
Allan and Janette Escalona were the ones who located the whereabouts of Ally after she was reportedly taken by an unidentified man.
Lazatin said the cash will serve as a token of gratitude for the invaluable assistance of the couple to the Angeles City government.
“We are immensely grateful for the couple in aiding us in resolvingthis incident,” the mayor said, underscoring the importance of community involvement in protecting the welfare of children.
Lazatin mobilized the Angeles City Police Office (ACPO) to find and rescue Ally after she disappeared while staying at her grandmother’s house in Barangay Balibago.
According to Ally’s cousin, Jessica Audrey Campos, the young girl was abducted and brought to Novaliches to “beg for money and food.”
Online news reports, quoting Ally’s aunt Herminia, described the five-year-old as unlike any other child. She is reportedly delayed in her personality and has a broken leg.
The family is grateful that the Escalona couple found Ally.