PNP: No serial killers, kidnappers on white van
THE Philippine National Police (PNP) has dismissed concerns over alleged serial killers and criminal syndicates abducting people using a white van amid the series of reported killings and disappearances of several individuals.
In a radio interview on Wednesday, August 24, 2022, PNP spokesperson Colonel Jean Fajardo said suspects in the recently reported crime incidents had either been identified or arrested, and they had no links with each other.
“Kung titingnan natin ‘yung mga circumstances dito sa mga nangyari na sunod-sunod na pagkaka-discover ng cadaver, pati ‘yung pagdukot at later on nakita pong patay, ay wala po tayong nakikita na serial killer dito dahil iba-iba po kasi ang involved dito at iba-iba rin po ‘yung motibo,” she said.
But she commended the public for posting on social media incidents that made the police more vigilant.
Fajardo said these posts aid police in conducting investigations on several cases.
She said PNP Chief General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. had already instructed field and regional offices to beef up their security operations in their areas of jurisdiction to prevent crime incidents.
In Batangas, a man identified as Eugene del Rosario was abducted by armed men on board two vehicles shortly after getting off a bus at a gasoline station.
He was later found dead in Quezon province. The persons behind it are yet to be arrested or identified.
Two girls were also found dead on separate occasions in Bulacan -- Malolos and San Jose del Monte. One of them was reportedly raped before she was killed.
The different suspects in these two incidents have already been arrested.
In Rodriguez, Rizal, four individuals were found dead inside an abandoned vehicle.
Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said he already instructed Azurin to come up with a report on these recent crime incidents and the developments in the investigation.
Cebu City
In Cebu City, local police have also started its investigation on a viral social media post about a man allegedly kidnapped across the street from a private university on N. Bacalso Ave. on Monday night, Aug. 22.
Officials of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) said they were able to contact the post’s author, Nelson Tagra.
According to Lt. Col. Wilbert Parilla, CCPO’s deputy director for administration, Tagra insisted that he witnessed the incident, albeit he had no proof.
Tagra told police he was looking for passengers in the area when he stopped by a man by the side of the road. He asked the man if he wanted a ride, but the latter refused.
Tagra said he drove a few meters farther when a white car suddenly arrived. Two armed men alighted and forced the man to get in the car.
Tagra said he tailed the car, but one of the men warned him not to follow.
Tagra said the car turned left on V. Rama Ave., heading for Barangay Guadalupe.
He said he approached a patrol car in the vicinity and told the police officers about what he saw.
He said the patrol car gave chase, but the police officers didn’t see the white car.
Personnel from the CCPO’s Investigation and Detective Management Section said the area where the man was allegedly kidnapped had no security cameras, so it couldn’t verify Tagra’s story.
Because of the lack of evidence, police said they will consider the incident as a mere allegation. However, they will continue to look into it, Parilla added.
He added that none of the police stations in the city reported a kidnapping on Monday night.
Parilla said they already turned over the matter to the legal department of the Police Regional Office 7 to determine Tagra’s liability for posting the alleged incident on social media.
The police official said the post alarmed many parents, especially since it coincided with the first day of face-to-face classes in public elementary and high schools.
Cordova
In Cordova town on Mactan Island, Mayor Cesar “Didoy” Suan has ordered the local police to strengthen its presence and visibility within the vicinity of schools following reports of alleged kidnapping or abduction in the town.
Suan told SunStar Cebu on Wednesday, August 24, 2022, that more personnel should be deployed in schools, including barangay tanods and the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team.
Police Major Michael Gingoyon, chief of the Cordova Police Station, in response, vowed to implement necessary actions to ensure the safety of students.
Gingoyon earlier clarified that they had not received any official reports on kidnapping in the town. This is contrary to reports that a student of Cordova National High School was abducted on August 23.