The social media post on a kidnapping incident in the Municipality of Tabogon, northern Cebu is a hoax.
Personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP) confirmed that the social media post on a kidnapping incident in the said town is completely false or baseless.
The police went personally to the house of the netizen.
It was found out that the woman is not from Tabogon, but from the adjacent Municipality of Borbon.
The Municipal Government of Tabogon, on its official social media page, has tagged the woman’s post as “fake news.”
The woman posted again, of a public apology this time, clarifying that she only made up the story, citing that she was alarmed because she has two grandchildren.
The Tabogon Police reminded netizens to be responsible and prudent when using social media platforms.
“Dili lang gyud magpataka og post sa social media kay makacause og panic, samot na og tsismis ra ato gipost, wala gani, dili kita ang hingtungdan ba,” said Police Master Sergeant John Paul Armero of Tabogon Police Station.
The PNP expects netizens to learn from this incident, so as not to compromise public safety and order.
“Patuyang ta, unya gishare share na hinoon, unya magviral na hinoon,” Armero added.
Tabogon Mayor Francis Salimbangon, in a statement to GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak, said that he has ordered the PNP to investigate further the incident.
Salimbangon said that Tabogon is a safe municipality. He called on the public to share only information that has been verified by the authorities.