ILOILO CITY – Police said no kidnapping of children were recorded in this province and city.
POLICE Colonels Bayani Razalan (left) and Kim Legada, chiefs of the Iloilo Provincial Police Office (IPPO) and Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO), during a meeting. (Tara Yap)
“Allegations of kidnapping incidents in Iloilo province are largely unfounded. Many of these claims appear to stem from hysteria or exaggerated responses to minor situations, fueled by misinformation from unverified sources, particularly on social media,” said the Iloilo Provincial Police Office (IPPO) in a statement.
“After thorough investigation, our findings confirm that no such incident occurred (in Jaro District),” the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) said in a separate statement.
In Iloilo province, these alleged kidnappings occurred in the towns of Dumangas, Pavia, and Santa Barbara.
The IPPO particularly raised alarm as one of the alleged kidnappings was reported by a national media outlet.
The IPPO and ICPO leadership are calling on parents to be more responsible and circumspect.
“Parents are encouraged to teach their children to be cautious about information from unreliable sources, particularly on social media,” said Police Col. Bayani Razalan, IPPO director.
“We advise parents to closely monitor their children, educate them about safety precautions, and remind them not to engage with strangers. Children should also be encouraged to stay in groups and immediately report suspicious individuals or activities to authorities,” added the ICPO led by Police Col. Kim Legada.