PNP spox to public: Verify abduction incidents circulating on social media

Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman Police Brigadier General Bernard Banac on Monday reminded the public that information circulating on social media about abduction incidents should be verified first.

Speaking to reporters in Camp Crame, Banac asked families of alleged kidnap victims not to post information on social media but instead report the incident to authorities.

"Wala pa pong basehan at hindi ito validated... subalit kung anumang insidente na may nangyari, nananawagan tayo sa lahat ng mga concerned, biktima o pamilya ng mga biktima na dumulog kaagad sa pinakamalapit ng police station natin upang maimbestigahan at huwag pong i-upload kaagad," Banac said.

Banac underscored that the public should be cautious about the veracity of the information circulating online, adding that those spreading misinformation in social media may be held liable under the Philippine law. 

Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano earlier ordered the police to look into reports of abductions of youngsters in the city that are circulating on social media. Initial reports said there were already nine missing youths whose ages range from 15 to 22 years old.

Banac said investigation on the cases of the nine missing youths is still ongoing. He said it could also be possible that the reported missing youths were runaways.

"'Yun ang patuloy na iniimbestigahan ng ating lokal na pulis at wala po dapat ipangamba dahil hindi naman nangangahulugan na ito na 'yung nangyayari sa buong Kalakhang Maynila at 'yung iba na mga reported incidents ay hindi pa validated," Banac said.

Police already released the CCTV footage showing one of the nine allegedly abducted youths in Pasay City.

Banac said this case was just an isolated incident, noting that it does not reflect the security situation of Metro Manila or even the whole country.

The PNP official also mentioned that National Capital Region Police Office acting director Police Brigadier General Debold Sinas already directed the probe about the white van allegedly being used to abduct individuals. —KBK, GMA News