Statement of Pasay City Police on viral Facebook post on alleged mauling incident of an elderly woman (Photo from Pasay City Police)
A 75-year-old woman featured in a viral Facebook post alleging that she was mauled in Pasay City has safely reunited with her family after police investigation disproved the claim.
Pasay City Police chief Col. Joselito De Sesto said the elderly woman, identified by the alias “Marie,” is a resident of Sitio Imelda, Upper Bicutan, Taguig City. She went viral after a Facebook post was uploaded by a certain Neal Valle claimed that she was being mauled near Metropoint Mall along Taft Avenue on Jan. 5.
De Sesto said personnel from Pasay City Police Substation 3 immediately responded to the area to verify the incident and conducted CCTV backtracking in coordination with Substation 4 and the mall’s security management.
Interviews with witnesses, mall vendors, and security personnel confirmed that no mauling incident occurred within the premises or the immediate vicinity of Metropoint Mall.
CCTV footage showed that the elderly woman already had a bandage on her head upon arriving in the area, indicating that she had previously received medical attention.
Further review of the footage revealed that she was seen walking from the area of Kabayan Hotel toward Metropoint Mall and was later observed sitting on the stairs. No individual was seen harming or assaulting her.
Coordination with the victim’s son, Emmanuel, revealed that his mother had earlier been involved in a vehicular accident in Quezon City. However, no details were provided on how she eventually reached Pasay City.
The Pasay City Police urged the public to exercise caution in sharing unverified information on social media, noting that misinformation can cause unnecessary alarm and misrepresentation of facts.
De Sesto assured the public that the Philippine National Police remains committed to prompt response, thorough investigation, and transparency in addressing public concerns.