The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) ruled out any kidnapping incident in the city despite the recent news of a 14-year-old female who was allegedly abducted from Toril to General Santos City (GenSan).
DCPO on Monday afternoon, August 29, conducted a press conference to clarify the report.
DCPO Director Alberto Lupaz belied the supposed kidnapping incident after the minor admitted that she personally onboarded a vehicle and intentionally left around 7 p.m. on Saturday from Binugao Gym, Toril.
"Nilakaw lang gyod ko sa amoa kay nagpabadlong ko (I just left from our house because I was reprimanded by my parents)," the minor told SunStar SuperBalita Davao at the DCPO headquarters.
In addition, the 14-year-old said that while on her way to GenSan, she was told by her companion that she will help her land a job so that she can finish her studies.
Despite the incident, Lupaz ordered the minor to undergo counseling so that she would regain her self-confidence.
"Kung ma-identify nato siya [katong nagdala], unya willing sila mopasaka og kaso, tan-awon nato sila (If we will be able to identify the person who brought her there, and the parents will be willing to file a case, we will look into it)," Lupaz said.
The police official also emphasized that the incident did not happen during the curfew, which starts at 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
"Sa curfew on minors we will send a memorandum sa atong mga station commanders para ma-intensify ang implementation sa curfew on minors (On the curfew of minors, we will send a memorandum to our station commanders to intensify its implementation)," he said.
The DCPO chief, meanwhile, advised parents to ensure that their children, especially the minors, should be inside their residences before evening.
"Ang ilang mga anak dapat i-account na nila sa sayong gabii (They should check on their children in the early evening)," he said.
Prior to this, the General Santos City PNP PRO12, through a Facebook post on Sunday afternoon, August 28, announced that they had rescued the minor in coordination with their personnel at the Police Station 6.
GenSan authorities said the victim, in her testimony, said that while she was walking in Toril on Saturday evening, she was allegedly abducted by a vehicle and was forced to get onboard until they reached GenSan.
When she reached Santiago Boulevard in GenSan, the vehicle stopped and she managed to run away and ask for help.
Hours later, someone helped the victim and was immediately brought to the Police Station 6 and was turned over to the Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD).
The Police Station 6 immediately coordinated with the Toril Police Station, and successfully turned over the minor.
However, this is contradictory to the minor’s narration to DCPO, where she said she intentionally left home after she was allegedly scolded by her parents.
Meanwhile, in the previous weeks, there was also a reported kidnapping, but this was immediately ruled out.
This was clarified by Christine, not her real name, a resident of Dumalag 1, Brgy. Matina Aplaya in Davao City. She personally presented herself to the authorities and denied that she was kidnapped. She said that she traveled to Bukidnon due to personal problems.
Christine thanked those from Bukidnon who helped her to return to Davao City.
DCPO earlier dismissed reports of alleged kidnappings in the city due to the tight implementation of security measures.
The city police also appealed to the public to refrain from sharing unverified posts in social media to avoid causing public panic.