The ‘kidnap try’ in Minglanilla

The photo says it all. What looked like an overly concerned community huddling around the alleged victim. Members of the media trying to wring out the truth from her. The southern town of Minglanilla heaving a sigh or relief as it avoided another Ellah Joy Pique incident.

But was there an attempt to kidnap the 10-yearold fourth grader from the Minglanilla Central School? Or was the whole thing a figment of a child’s active imagination?

What happened to Pique on Feb. 8, 2011 must still be fresh in every townsfolk’s mind.

The six-year-old was on her way home from school in Calajoan when she was picked up by a foreigner and his Filipina partner. She was found dead in Barili town the next day.

By now, I’m sure every student in the town knows what happened to Pique. Their parents must have taught them to be wary of strangers. Their teachers and their principals must have told them to report immediately any lurkers on or outside school grounds.

And to think that Pique’s case remains unsolved after the court dismissed the criminal case against Bella Ruby Santos, one of the accused in the girl’s kidnap-slay, for lack of evidence in 2014.

It was a good thing then that the girl was able to escape after she allegedly shouted for help after biting her alleged kidnapper’s hand.

This all started when 18-year-old James Kevie Paradela held her hand and asked her where he and his companions could buy guavas. The native of San Fernando town admitted as much.

He said they were at the school to sell books and interactive materials. He said they are sales agents for a book distributor.

I don’t know if the police called the company to verify this, but Supt. Dexter Calacar, the town’s police chief, said the group did not have any IDs.

That didn’t bode well for Paradela, Rheamay Sagmon, Estela Montes, Marjan Serenio, Reymart Abobo, and Federico dela Cruz, who might be charged with violating the Special Protection of Children against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.

If it’s any consolation, they can’t be charged with “attempted kidnapping” because, according to Calacar, there is no such complaint in the Revised Penal Code.

Police did find a book stand inside the vehicle the group was using, but no interactive materials. Police also discovered that the vehicle was registered in the National Capital Region and its registration has expired. Maybe they should check Paradela’s hand for any bite marks.

But before this whole thing gets out of hand and turns into a witch trial, let’s get one thing straight. No crime was committed.

Paradela held the girl’s hand, which he shouldn’t have. The girl’s classmate said that he grabbed her by force. She bit him and screamed for help. They fled and told their teacher that six persons in a white van tried to kidnap them. The police said Paradela and his companions did not force the girl inside their vehicle.

This was what happened around lunchtime last Thursday.

But before this whole thing gets out of hand and turns into a witch trial, let’s get one thing straight. No crime was committed