BY MA. THERESA LADIAO
ILOILO City – To quell rising public anxiety, the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) has categorically dismissed as false the recent rumors about purported child abductions.
According to Police Colonel Kim Legada, now ICPO’s full-fledged director after serving in an acting capacity for several weeks, there is no evidence to support claims that a group from Manila has been kidnapping children in Iloilo City.
Text and social media messages about a group arriving in vans intent on abducting children have been widely circulated, causing undue alarm among residents, Legada lamented.
“The information circulating is a complete hoax,” he stressed.
Legada urged the public to maintain calm and refrain from spreading unverified rumors which only serve to instill fear.
The clarification came after a thorough verification process led by Police Captain Melchor Tolentino, officer-in-charge of the Jaro police station.
“There have been no reports of missing persons in the areas mentioned,” Legada confirmed, adding that similar confirmations were received from other city police stations.
Legada reassured the community, emphasizing the continuous efforts of the police to monitor and ensure public safety.
He also encouraged residents to verify facts with authorities before sharing information.
“It is vital that the public relies on verified information to prevent the unnecessary spread of panic,” said Legada./PN
