Caloocan City Police Station (CCPS) Chief Col. Samuel Mina has reminded the residents to be responsible users of social media and to remain vigilant in their surroundings after the alleged abduction attempt to a 13-year-old girl in Brgy. 162, in the city last Aug. 22.
The CCPS Sta. Quiteria Sub-station (SS6) conducted a continuous investigation on the incident where it found out that the said attempt was a made up story by the victim.
Maj. Brian Ramirez, SS6 commander, said on Sunday, Aug. 28, that the incident already made rounds on social media while the police are still verifying the details from the victim.
In a phone interview with Manila Bulletin, Mina said that the residents should first evaluate before believing what they see on social media and to verify information from reliable sources.
“Mas maganda yung mulat tayo sa mga nangyayari sa palibot natin at maging mapagmatyag (It is better that we are aware of what is happening around us and be vigilant,” he added. Initial investigation disclosed that the victim said she walked past a white van along Tullahan Road, in Brgy. 162, while on her way home at around 2:30 p.m. on Aug. 22. Three men suddenly emerged from the vehicle and tried to take her.
The victim added that she was rescued by a tricycle driver who brought her home.
Ramirez said the victim later admitted that the incident was only a made up story.
There were also closed-circuit television footages (CCTV), assessments, statements from the tricycle driver, and the testimony of the barangay captain that helped in proving that the abduction attempt did not happen, police said.
“Base sa mga nakalap na kuha sa mga CCTV at sa tulong ng kapulisan, walang katotohanan ang naunang naireport sa aming tanggapan na diumano may puting van na nangunguha ng Bata sa Sta. Quiteria lungsod ng Caloocan. Ang batang nauna nang Ngreport ay nagkaron lamang ng takot at pangamba dulot na din ng mga kumakalat na balita sa social media (Based on the collected CCTV footages and with the help of the police, there is no truth about the said white van that abducts children in Sta. Quiteria, in Caloocan City that was previously reported to our office. The child who first reported only developed fear and worry caused by the news spread on social media)” the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) of Barangay 162 said in a Facebook post.
“Sa huli, humingi ng paumanhin at malawak na pangunawa ang magulang para sa kanyang anak para sa pangyayare (In the end, the parent of the victim apologized and asked for broad understanding for his child regarding the incident),” it added.
Meanwhile, the city police chief also said they have deployed a total of 360 personnel to ensure the security in the schools for the resumption of the in-person classes in the city.