Gabana: Spreading rumors will lead to charges

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) yesterday dispelled circulating rumors surrounding an alleged abduction of a minor that supposedly took place last Monday near Ramos-Lacson Streets.

BCPO spokesperson, Police Chief Inspector Sherlock Gabana, said they intercepted information via social media and immediately coordinated with Police Station 2 and the Women and Children’s Protection Desk.

However, it was later determined the involved minor fabricated the story as an excuse to discontinue her studies.

Gabana said the minor, a Grade 11 student, made the admission after police reviewed closed-circuit television footage from neighboring establishments and found no such abduction.

Following the incident, Gabana called on city residents to stop spreading unverified information on social media, adding, those behind the posts will face criminal charges in violation of Presidential Decree No. 1727 for malicious dissemination of false information.

He added, perpetrators may also face charges in violation of RA 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012./DGB, WDJ