By Jennifer P. Rendon
The Iloilo Provincial Police Office (IPPO) has denied recent reports of kidnapping incidents involving minors, calling them unfounded and fueled by misinformation.
In a statement, the IPPO said many of the claims appear to stem from hysteria or exaggerated responses to minor incidents, often spread through unverified sources, particularly on social media.
Col. Bayani Razalan, Iloilo police chief, criticized the irresponsible sharing of misleading information online, warning of its negative impact on the community.
“It is crucial to recognize that some minors may fabricate stories to avoid accountability for their actions,” Razalan said.
The reports in question allegedly occurred in the towns of Pavia and Dumangas.
The Pavia incident was said to have happened around noon on Feb. 17 along the national highway in Barangay Mali-ao but was only reported to police on Feb. 19 at 3 p.m.
The Dumangas case reportedly took place at 11 a.m. on Feb. 17 in Barangay Capaliz and was also reported two days later.
Both municipal police stations conducted thorough investigations but found no evidence supporting the kidnapping claims.
Pavia police said witnesses in the area confirmed that nothing unusual occurred.
CCTV footage also showed no white van stopping near the alleged location.
In Dumangas, the minor who reported the incident claimed that two motorcycles carrying three men approached him.
Out of fear, he ran away without looking back, but witnesses confirmed that while they saw him running, no one was chasing him.
A related social media post alleged another kidnapping attempt in Sta. Barbara on Feb. 21, showing a viral video of a minor running away from a white van.
However, investigations revealed that the minor was a child in conflict with the law (CICL) who had escaped while being transferred by the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) of Pavia to its counterpart in Sta. Barbara.
The white van and the individual seen chasing the minor were personnel from the Pavia MSWDO.
Another report claimed active kidnappers attempted to abduct a minor in Sta. Barbara, but authorities found no evidence to support the claim.
Despite the reports being baseless, the IPPO has taken proactive measures to address public concern.
Razalan ordered all unit commanders to coordinate with school officials and educate students on verifying information, particularly on social media.
“We are committed to raising public awareness about the dangers of believing and spreading fake news,” he said.
Additionally, police have increased visibility in schools and are working with the Liga ng mga Barangay to mobilize barangay tanods for enhanced community safety.
“We urge the public to refrain from spreading unverified information, as it can lead to unnecessary panic. Parents should teach their children to be cautious about information from unreliable sources, especially online,” Razalan said.
He also emphasized the importance of verifying information before reacting or sharing it.
