Student facing raps for kidnap hoax

CEBU, Philippines — Authorities are set to file a criminal complaint for alarm and scandal in relation to the Anti-Cybercrime Law against a 21-year-old college student from Danao City who claimed on Facebook that a group of unidentified men allegedly tried to kidnap him.

The student’s post went viral on social media causing panic among the netizens, especially the residents of Danao where the alleged kidnapping attempt happened. In his post, the student claimed that a group of unidentified men onboard a white van tried to snatch him.

The viral post prompted police authorities to investigate. Police Lieutenant Colonel Maribel Getigan, Danao City Police Station chief, said that upon questioning the student admitted that there was no kidnapping attempt.

According to Getigan, the student told them that he just made up the story to ride on the craze on social media. The student apologized to the local officials of Danao City for what he did, but this will not exculpate him from criminal liability.

Getigan said the local officials are determined to press charges against the student.

“In coordination with the anti-cybercrime unit…actually i-regular file lang siya then we have to endorse the supporting documents as evidence para sila na mismo ang mo-file,” Getigan said.

The police are now preparing all the evidence against the student like CCTV footage of the place where the supposed kidnapping attempt happened.

Getigan said they will also submit the student to psychological intervention by the City Social Welfare and Development.

“Para at least makita nato ug stable ba sya,” Getigan said.

Meanwhile, the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) also denied several claims by netizens of alleged kidnapping attempts in Barangay Punta Princesa.

Police Lt. Col. Randy Korret, deputy city director for operations, said they have not received any official report about the alleged incidents.

“So far doon sa kidnapping ay wala pa tayong na re-receive na report…kasi kung meron yan syang nangyari dapat  ni report na yan sa police station. We have been monitoring this incidents, wala man tayong (na receive), ” Korret said.

Korret, however, assured that they will be intensifying their checkpoints especially on the white and black vans.

Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella warned those who are spreading fake news or unverified information to stop.

“To those who are making the fake news, there is a Presidential Decree making rumor-mongering is punishable,” Labella said.

“Since we assumed office there was zero kidnapping, I checked all of these. I call the  chief of police everyday, I monitor, ang crimes ra gyud kay crimes against persons, when you say crimes against persons, we are referring to murder and homicide. And most if not all are related to drugs, most if not all the personalities involved are related to drugs,” Labella added.  FPL  (FREEMAN)