AUTHORITIES in La Trinidad, Benguet urged residents not to panic following a social media post of a kidnapped grandmother and her grandchild in broad daylight.

In a Facebook post, netizens were advised to take extra care after an alleged van with plate numbers XMM-507 and VXM-351 took a grandmother and her daughter along Barangay Buyagan.

However, Valred Olsim, La Trinidad tourism officer, belied the report but asked residents to be diligent and vigilant in their surroundings.

“The information about (a) kidnapping van in La Trinidad is not true per the La Trinidad Municipal Police Station. Nevertheless, let us still be vigilant in protecting our young ones from the lurking evil. Crime is not welcome in La Trinidad,” said Olsim.

Olsim also asked netizens in his Facebook post to be wary of fake news which create hysteria to the public.

The public are also advised that in the absence of confirmation of any kind to remain calm and refrain from causing unnecessary anxiety among our people by spreading hearsay.

A look at the municipal police blotter revealed there were no kidnapping cases that were reported.

Postings of alleged kidnapping on social media surfaced after eight young men and a woman — aged 15 to 23 disappeared, in Pasay City between November 20 and 22. (SunStar Baguio)