By CESAR JOLITO III
Police in Negros Occidental’s San Carlos City have dismissed circulating social media claims of an abduction in Barangay Prosperidad, saying an initial investigation found no evidence of forcible taking and indicated the incident may have been staged.
In a press conference on Thursday, March 5, Lt. Colonel Nazer Canja said police responded promptly to a 911 call received on Wednesday morning, March 4, and immediately coordinated with barangay officials to verify the report involving a 28-year-old female resident.
They reviewed CCTV footage from nearby establishments and conducted field inquiries with potential witnesses.
Police said the footage showed the woman riding a motorcycle and moving freely around the area, contradicting claims that she was forced into a white van.
Additional camera checks on adjacent routes also showed no white van passing through the reported location at the time of the alleged incident.
Authorities returned to the area at around 7:11 p.m. after receiving another report and found the woman safe in a vacant lot near La Vista Highlands.
She was brought to the police station for assessment and verification, accompanied by her husband, mother and older sister.
Canja said there was no indication of criminal intent or coercion and noted that the circumstances suggest a staged scenario, possibly influenced by financial concerns.
He emphasized that the investigation is ongoing to establish the full context of the woman’s actions and ensure accountability.
The police chief reiterated the PNP’s readiness to respond to emergencies and highlighted the importance of coordination with barangay officials to quickly clarify incidents and prevent public confusion.
He also appealed to residents to refrain from sharing unverified information online to curb misinformation.
Meanwhile, police community relations officer Police Senior Master Sergeant Allyn Estrao said transparency and fact-checking are essential to maintaining public trust, adding that the San Carlos police remain committed to upholding the law and safeguarding peace and order in the city./CJ, WDJ