The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) said they have found no substantial evidence to support the alleged kidnapping and robbery incidents in the city.

This comes after a photo of a black van with a “Libre Sakay” streamer, allegedly used in kidnapping activities, made rounds on social media on Thursday night, August 15, causing fear and panic among students.

“Our investigations have revealed that these reports are largely unsubstantiated or based on misinformation,” the BCPO said in a statement yesterday.

“We understand the concern these reports have generated among our residents, and we wish to clarify the situation to prevent unnecessary panic and fear,” it added.

The BCPO urges residents to remain calm and vigilant, as well as avoid spreading unverified information that could cause undue alarm in the community.

Misinformation, the city police said, especially when disseminated through social media, “can escalate quickly and create unnecessary fear, which may disrupt peace and order.”

“We encourage everyone to report any suspicious activities directly to the nearest police station or through our official communication channels. This will allow us to respond swiftly and appropriately to any genuine threats,” BCPO said.

The city police also expressed their commitment to ensuring the safety and security of residents.

“We have increased patrols and visibility in key areas to further reassure the public of our dedication to maintaining peace and order,” it added.

‘Always verify information’

In a Facebook post, the city government said the van with the “Libre Sakay” streamer was used “to provide free transportation for stranded passengers” during the two-day transport strike organized by traditional jeepney drivers and operators in Bacolod from August 14 to 15.

They also encourage netizens to “always verify the information you see on social media.”

“Not everything is true, which is why we’re addressing this issue now,” the post said.

Intensify police visibility

Meanwhile, Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez called on the BCPO to intensify their presence amid the alleged kidnapping incidents in the city.

“The opening of classes gives an opportunity for those with evil and twisted intentions to have targets,” Benitez said.

Benitez called on parents to closely monitor their children, especially when going to schools.

He said school authorities should make security their top priority for their students, advising them to install closed-circuit television cameras as part of the security protocols.

“Inform us in the government if your schools need security personnel,” Benitez said.

The mayor also encourages the public to be vigilant against those trying to take advantage of children, by closely monitoring their children’s whereabouts, to make sure that they should go home on time, as well as to report to the police or barangay suspicious incidents so that action will immediately be taken.

Benitez further appealed to everyone to also stop spreading fake news or anything that is not true to avoid creating panic and alarm to the public.

The mayor emphasized that doing so is counter-productive, and will just cause harm to some people.

Benitez’s call also came after the alleged abduction and killing of Grade 10 student Pearl Joy Galve, who was found in a sugarcane field in Negros Occidental’s La Carlota City on Wednesday, August 14./WDJ