By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

A woman was arrested, while another escaped, after they allegedly stalked and attempted to abduct a 15-year-old girl last Thursday in Bacolod City’s Barangay Mansilingan.
Police have requested anonymity for the victim, but confirmed she is a resident of the said barangay.
Based on information provided by Police Station 7 (PS7), the victim was aboard a passenger jeepney when the suspects, identified as 21-year-old Mariven Seraspe and her cousin 20-year-old Raymund Seraspe, sat beside the victim.
The elder Seraspe asked the victim where she was from and the victim told her she was originally from Candoni. Once the minor disembarked the vehicle and boarded a tricycle, the suspects followed her and rode the same tricycle.
When the victim exited the tricycle, the suspects again followed her until they reached her home.
The elder Seraspe grabbed hold of the victim’s neck and arm. She then directed the victim to follow her. However, the victim screamed at passing motorists, resulting in some tricycle drivers stopping. The suspects attempted to convince the drivers the victim was insane and that they were trying to get her back home to Candoni.
The victim continued to struggle until bystanders intervened and held the elder Seraspe until police arrived.
The younger Seraspe, meanwhile, managed to escape.
PS7 commander, Police Lieutenant Florentino Abalayan, said the victim’s guardian later arrived at the station.
The elder Seraspe, who apologized and denied they were attempting to kidnap the victim, is being held for grave coercion and child abuse.
The suspect was also reportedly punched by the victim’s guardian, who was angered over the incident./DGB, WDJ