CPPO chief says attempted kidnapping in Alegria not true

Alegria town    /Google Maps

CEBU CITY, Philippines –The top official of the Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO) is not buying into the alleged attempted kidnapping incident in Alegria town that went viral on social media.

Police Colonel Engelbert Soriano, CPPO director, said that there is a strong possibility that the incident is not true based on the initial investigation conducted by the police.

On Thursday, June 2, 2022, a Facebook post went viral after alleging that a 13-year-old girl in Sitio Sangi, Barangay Madridejos was almost kidnapped at around 6 a.m. on June 2, 2022.

Soriano said that they received information that the minor was waiting for a jeepney as she was on her way to school that Thursday morning when a van allegedly stopped in front of her.

The driver of the van then allegedly opened the passenger window and asked the girl if she was heading to Cebu City. The minor got scared and immediately went home and informed her parents.

“Pero, ang result sa initial investigation namin and interview with the driver, walang ganong insidente ng kidnapping. May nakuha kami na previous history itong magkapatid. Itong alleged na minor at kapatid nya, meron silang experience na hinintuan ng naka motor and natakot din sila,” Soriano said.

Soriano said they already identified the registered owner of the van and that investigators are already coordinating with the driver.

According to the driver, he was driving a tourist van from Badian to Cebu City but failed to pick up any passengers at that time.

“Everyday she goes to school jeep ang sinasakyan niya and suddenly may nag stop na van and hindi naman sya sumasakay sa van. Bata pa young babae, ang pumasok sa isip nung tinatanong sya na sasakay siya eh iba yung pumasok sa isip nya. Instead na sumagot na hindi, tumakbo so natakot siya,” Soriano said.

On Friday, June 3, the CPPO is expected to release a statement to assure Cebuanos that the province is safe and that there was no attempted kidnapping in Alegria based on their interview with the van driver and other witnesses.

Soriano also encouraged everyone to verify first any information before posting it on social media.

He said he has already instructed the chief of police of Alegria Police Station to create a waiting area, especially for the minors who will be going to school and home.

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