• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Police officials in Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City, have called on netizens to stop spreading fake news, such as alleged kidnapping incidents and reported missing persons, in social media that cause alarm and create unnecessary fear.
PCol. Joeresty Coronica, officer-in-charge of Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), said that after a thorough investigation and verification, they have not found substantial evidence to support that robbery and kidnapping attempts happened in various areas of the city.
In coordination with other law enforcement agencies, the BCPO determined that the claims are “largely unsubstantiated or based on misinformation”, he added.
In a separate statement, PCol. Rainerio de Chavez, director of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO), strongly disputed claims in social media about several individuals supposedly declared as missing.
Upon verification with concerned police stations, there were no reports of missing persons logged in the police blotter, he said.
Still, De Chavez ordered police stations to gather data on the alleged missing persons.
A certain Karen, 23, of Barangay Alicante, E.B. Magalona left her residence to live in another place.
Alias Faith, 18, who was reported missing in social media in Aug. 12 is now with her relatives in La Carlota City.
The reported missing woman in Barangay Ma-ao, Bago City was rescued by the City Social Welfare and Development Office, and in close contact with her mother.
The provincial police also dismissed as “hoax” the text messages being spread regarding a van, which is targeting minors, allegedly spotted in La Castellana and La Carlota City.
Both the BCPO and the NOCPPO assured the public that they are on alert 24 hours a day, as they have deployed personnel in crime-prone areas, established checkpoints, and set up police assistance desks within the vicinity of schools.
Coronica and De Chavez called on the Negrenses to remain calm, be vigilant of their surroundings, and stop sharing unverified information in social media.
“Let us work together to maintain a safe and peaceful Bacolod City, by ensuring that the information we share is accurate and verified,” Coronica said.
Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez urged the public to stop spreading fake news to avoid creating panic, stressing that doing it is counter-productive, and will unnecessary cause harm to some people.
Benitez also called on the parents to closely monitor their children, especially those going to school.
He stressed the need for school authorities to give priority in securing their students.
“Inform us in the government if your schools need security personnel and encourage them to install CCTV cameras as part of the security protocol to secure the students,” the mayor said. | GB
