Students warned against kidnapping “Never talk to Strangers”.

CEBU, Philippines - This was the advice given by the Mandaue City School Division Office after it learned about two attempts at kidnapping students of the Mandaue City Science High School last March 5 and March 13.

DepEd superintendent Virginia Zapanta informed city officials about the alleged attempts during a meeting of members of the City Peace and Order Council Thursday.

She said she has sent the mayor a letter asking for tanods and police visibility before classes start and during dismissal.

Teachers in forty-nine public schools in the city have been told to remind their students not to entertain strangers and to go home immediately after class dismissal.

Jamaal James Calipayan, the mayor’s executive secretary, said the police have been told to make theselves to be visible in the vicinity of the schools in the city.

Benjamin Tiongzon, DepEd administrative officer, said the two incidents were reported to the Ibabao-Estancia Barangay Hall.

Last March 5, a third year high-school was on her way home at around 5:00 p.m. when a motorcycle suddenly stopped, the driver, who was wearing a helmet, asked her to ride with him.

But the student immediately ran away.

Eight days later, two students were on their way to school at around 6:00 a.m. when a van suddenly stopped near them and a young man invited them to ride with him. But the students ignored him and ran away. (FREEMAN)