Attempted abduction of 11-yr-old boy reported in Dumangas, Iloilo

The scare is apparent in the countenance of an 11-year-old boy while he was interviewed by GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas on a reported attempted abduction in the Municipality of Dumangas, Province of Iloilo.

Alias "Toto" narrated that afternoon on February 17, 2025, while he was walking home from school, two motorcycles stopped behind him.

Three persons, he said, tried to pull his bag.

“Tumigil sila sa likuran ko at hinila nila ang bag ko,” Toto said.

He added that he gave a tug at his bag.

“Hinila ko rin,” Toto said.

Toto further said that he wriggled free and ran as fast as he could toward a ricefield.

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The men gave chase reportedly. However, they stopped when they saw persons in the direction where he had run to.

“Nakita nilang may nagbabantay ng itik, bumalik siguro,” Toto said.

Alias “Art,” Toto’s father, could not think of a reason why the men attempted to abduct his son.

“Parang hindi maganda. Sabi ko kung nagkataong nakuha ang anak ko, saan ko sya hahanapin?” Art said.

Bothered by the incident, Art decided to ferry his son to and from school days after the alleged abduction.

Barangay officials also responded by mapping out a new schedule of "tanods" (village watchmen) especially on hours after classes while the children are on their way home.

“Nag-coordinate kami sa mga teacher, sa parents, na ang mga bata ingatan nila,” alias “Jeff,” a barangay councilman said.

The incident was already reported to the Dumangas Police.

Police have conducted their assessment on the account of the boy, as there was no witness to the incident.

“We cannot yet construe ang kanyang mga scenario at ang mga statement niya to verify kung…if it was abduction or if it was, baka trick lang ng grupo,” according to Major Kenn Albert Lepsia, chief of the Dumangas Municipal Police Station.

The child is set to undergo intervention at the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office.

While investigation is ongoing, the Dumangas Police have reminded schools and parents to stay vigilant. —via GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas Desk/GMA Regional TV