A closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage captured a vehicle swerving from Sunset Boulevard in Barangay Cagbang, Oton town, Province of Iloilo.

On board the vehicle were three girls, ages 12 years old and 14 years old, while the age of the third girl was undetermined.

They were allegedly victims of an attempted abduction by a male driver.

According to the 14-year-old complainant, she and her friend were walking along Sunset Boulevard in Barangay Cagbang when the vehicle stopped near them and the driver asked for the direction toward Oton town.

The driver lured allegedly the girls to ferry them home.

However, when they were in the vicinity of their residences, the driver changed direction allegedly.

“Pagsakay namin, ang sabi niya may pupuntahan lang siya. Paglabas namin (sa Sunset Boulevard), nagtuloy-tuloy lang siya. Sumigaw kami ngunit hindi naman naririnig,” alias “Nene,” one of the victims, said.

The 12-year-old alias “Inday” seated at the back of the driver jumped out of the vehicle while it was still reportedly moving, and ran away.

“Binuksan ko ang pintuan ng sasakyan ngunit ayaw niya kaming bumaba. Tinititigan pa ako ng lalaki,” alias “Inday” said.

Nene, who was seated in front, upon seeing that Inday jumped, followed suit.

The two girls sustained wounds.

Another girl, referred to as alias “Lyka,” said she implored the driver she would get out of the car. The driver, she said, allowed her to disembark.

The incident was reported immediately to the police. With the help of CCTV footages, these were enhanced to identify the vehicle.

The incident happened on Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 7:39 p.m.

On Sunday, May 18, 2025, the driver appeared at the police station. The 21-year-old driver, a student, and resident of Iloilo City, denied the statement of the girls on an attempted abduction.

The driver was not taken into police custody because the reglementary period already lapsed.  

“Wala siyang intention sa mga bata but because ganun ang actions ng mga bata, that’s why natakot rin siya,” said Master Sergeant Ma. Elena Doliguez, chief of the Women and Children Protection Desk at Oton Municipal Police Station.

However, the relatives of the girls are determined to file charges against the driver.

“Matindi ang trauma nila. Tuwing gabi hindi sila makatulog [nang maayos]. Tuwing nakikita nila ang tao, natatakot talaga sila,” alias “Jane,” the mother of one of the victims, said.

“Ayaw na niyang sumakay sa taxi, sa [kotse]. Gusto niya sa tricycle lang. Hindi ako madadala ng pera kahit mahirap lang kami. Ipaglalaban ko ito,” said alias “Shane,” a grandmother of one of the victims.