BACOLOD CITY – The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) dismissed recent reports circulating on social media regarding alleged robbery and kidnapping attempts in this city.

BACOLOD City Police Office
The public expressed concern over viral social media posts from a woman on Thursday night, August 15, about a black van without license plate allegedly abducting students in different areas here.
Police reached out to her but were unsuccessful as she deactivated her social media account.
The BCPO acknowledged the concern these reports have generated among residents here but said that substantial evidence has supported these claims.
“After thorough investigation and verification in coordination with relevant authorities, we found out that these reports are largely unsubstantiated or based on misinformation,” according to Police Lt. Col. Bonifacio Ancajas Jr., BCPO public information officer.
The BCPO urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information that could cause undue alarm in the community.
Ancajas stressed that misinformation, especially when disseminated through social media, can escalate quickly and create unnecessary fear, which may disrupt the peace and order here.
While they do not neglect this kind of information, lawmen advised the public to remain calm and vigilant and report any related incident to the nearest police station.
“We encourage everyone to report any suspicious activities directly to the nearest police station or through our official communication channels. This will allow us to respond swiftly and appropriately to any genuine threats,” the BCPO said.
The BCPO has increased visibility and patrols in key areas to further reassure the public of their dedication in maintaining peace and order.
These reports which were deemed fake news came out a day after a 15-year-old high school student from this city who was reported missing for two weeks was found dead in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental on Wednesday, August 14.