Police looking into college student’s kidnap

CEBU, Philippines - A 16-year-old college student alleged that she was abducted by three men Wednesday afternoon while walking near Metro Market Gaisano in Barangay West Poblacion, Naga City.

The victim, however, managed to escape by jumping through the window of the house where she and two other women were taken.

She was allegedly walking early morning Thursday until she reached the South Road Properties in Baranagy Tangke, Talisay City where she was seen by a traffic enforcer who took her to the police station in the afternoon.

The girl, a student in one of the universities in Cebu City and temporarily residing in Saudi Village, Barangay Tangke, Naga City, alleged that she was walking when an unidentified man disembarked from a gray van.

The man approached her and demanded that she get inside the van while showing a handgun tucked in his waistline.

Talisay Police Women and Children’s Protection Desk Officer, Insp. Margienet Yosores, told The FREEMAN that the girl narrated seeing two other women who were blindfolded inside the van and two unidentified men beside the driver’s seat.

Yosores said they were reportedly taken to a place not familiar to the girl and were locked up in a room.

She added that the victims were even allegedly asked if they know how to sing and dance before they were left by the abductors.

“Naka-eskapo siya kay nagpasumangil siya nga nagkalibanga unya nilayat kuno siya sa bintana, (She managed to escape after saying she was suffering from LBM. She them jumped through the window),” Yosores said in a phone interview.

The victim was then turned over to the Naga City Police Station.

But Cebu Provincial Police Office Director Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Comendador was not convinced that victim was abducted unless there will be independent witnesses.

Comendador directed Supt. Eduardo Saavedra, Naga City police chief, to further investigate and validate allegations.

“Without motive lisod i-establish nga kidnapping unless kung dunay corroboration sa third person nga nabiktima pud unya mo-coincide ang statement. (It’s difficult to establish the kidnapping unless there is corroboration from a third person, a victim whose statement coincides with the allegations),” Comendador said.

He said that about 80 to 90 percent of minors today come up with hoax stories just to cover up some mistakes.

Police will be coordinating with other agencies to check if the incident could also be another form of human trafficking. (FREEMAN)