What is disturbing the sleep of residents of a barangay in Bayambang, Pangasinan?

Residents of Barangay Manambong Sur have reported waking up to mysterious late night knocks on their doors and windows, which have disrupted their sleep for several nights.

They also started getting concerned for their safety. 

Maria, a 49-year-old resident, shared she got anxious after loud knocking at her door pulled her out of bed at dawn, at around 3 a.m.

The incident left her and her family sleepless.

"Nagtaka ako may kumatok sa pintuan namin, hindi [nga] lang tatlong beses na kumatok, kaya nabigla ako. Ginising ko yung anak ko na grade four para tingnan, pero hindi siya tumayo agad… noong lumabas siya, tiningnan niya walang [namang] tao," Maria said.

As a precaution, many residents installed additional locks on their doors.

Rodolfo Mejia Lasquite, 73, also recalled getting afraid when he was awakened by a loud knock at his door at the same odd hour.

Concerned about potential criminal intentions, he got up to investigate, fearing the recent incidents of theft reported in a neighboring barangay.

"Natakot ako, yun nga baka kasi may masamang intensyon, mayroon nang nangyari sa kabilang barangay. Kung ano-ano ang ginagawa nila, may nanakakawan daw kaya ganoon, natatakot kami," Lasquite said.

REASON, WARNING

Authorities would find out later that a resident of a nearby town suspected to have mental illness was the one knocking on the houses, reportedly to seek help. 

Unfortunately, the incident, fueled by social media posts, sparked panic among residents.

"Isa nating kababayan na galing bayan ng Bautista na siya daw yung kumatok sa unang bahay na humihingi ng tulong. Then this person, posted sa kanilang Facebook page or sa kanilang social media platform, then may ibang kabataan na sumakay or nag-ride on sa kwento na yun," Dr. Rafael Saygo, the Bayambang Municipal Information Officer, said.

The police have increased visibility in the barangays affected.

The local government called on the public to stop spreading false information on social media. 

"Nais din namin iparating na sa mga kabataan at sa iba pang tao na ginagawan pong katatawanan at magpapakalat sila ng mga ganito para mag-cause ng alarm or panic sa community. We will ensure that we will implement the law, inaayos na namin yung iba na nagpo-post nagpapakalat ng kung ano-anong photo," Saygo said.