BCPO: No record of kidnapping incident in Baguio
The Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) has reiterated that there is no record of any kidnapping incident in Baguio City thus far.
BCPO Deputy City Director for Operations PLt.Col. John Cayat and Public Information Officer PLt. Angeline Dongpaen in separate interviews said that despite persistent rumors of a syndicate roaming around streets and snatching people allegedly for prostitution or organ harvesting which usually spread through social media, no such incidents had been monitored or reported to the city police to corroborate such information.
“As earlier confirmed by our BCPO Director PCol. Glenn Lonogan, there were no reported incidents so far. With numerous CCTVs installed all over the city that help the city police in crime monitoring, such incidents would not have been missed,” the two police officers said.
Dongpaen said those reported missing had safely returned home and the incidents turned out to be just cases of juvenile delinquency or truancy.
“Hindi lamang po nakapagpaalam o hindi nakauwi sa sinabing oras o araw ang mga batang nareport na missing,” she said.
Dongpaen said the same situation happened last year but the difference was there were more cases last year perhaps because of the effects of the pandemic restrictions.
“Hopefully with the return of face-to-face classes, we would see less of these incidents,” she said.
She said the BCPO is doing its best to collaborate with the barangays, the church and other concerned sectors to maintain good community relations which are essential to maintaining peace and order.
She encouraged people to continue to be vigilant in reporting any suspicious occurrence, persons or places to boost crime prevention.
Parents should know the whereabouts of their children and children should always inform their parents of their locations. Schools should also help monitor students especially if there are unsafe places or roads in the vicinity which the students frequent or traverse in going to and from the schools, Dongpaen further advised. – Aileen P. Refuerzo
