ILOILO – The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) has clarified that recent claims of an abduction in the town of Zarraga were unfounded.
According to IPPO director Colonel Bayani Razalan, the incident reported by a teenaged girl was investigated and found to be fabricated.
The minor initially reported that on the morning of August 18, around 9:30 a.m., she was abducted by unidentified suspects while walking home the previous night.
She described being forcibly taken by a blue van.
However, upon investigation, authorities determined that the story was concocted by the minor due to fear of parental reprimand.
“There’s no truth to the reported abduction incident in Zarraga. It was just a story made up by the child,” he stated.
The minor is now under the care of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office, where she will participate in an intervention program.
Razalan also urged the public to refrain from spreading false information that could cause unnecessary panic.
He reassured residents that the province of Iloilo remains peaceful and orderly./PN
