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Batangas Governor Vilma Santos called on her constituents to stay calm yet vigilant amid reports of alleged child abduction in the province.
In an interview on dzMM, Santos said that the provincial government is working with the police to verify reports of child abduction in the province.
“Ang nagiging problema lang po namin ngayon, may iba-iba na pong lumalabas na version. Masyado pong nama-magnify. Yung iba pong naunang nai-report na nawala ay nakauwi na po sa bahay. Except sa latest report that we got, as of this time, ‘yung apat na bata po sa Bauan ang talagang considered missing pa po (The problem we have now is there are different versions of the story. It’s been magnified. The other kids who were reported missing have already gone home. The latest report we have as of this time is on the four missing kids in Bauan),” she said, adding that the four children are only considered missing, not abducted.
She also appealed to her constituents not to panic.
“Ang pakiusap ko lamang sana ay magtulungan tayo, andidito naman po at nagtutulungan ang provincial government. Don’t panic, at kawawa din naman po ang mga mamamayang Batangueno (My request is that we should help each other. The provincial government is here to help. Don’t panic because the people of Batangas will be affected),” Santos said.
Due to the increasing fear in the province, Region IV-A Police Provincial Director Chief Supt. Richard Albano has also promised to send in more policemen to Batangas to check the kidnapping cases.
According to Santos, although she respects how parents feel about the issue, she asked them to keep calm and stay vigilant. “Hindi ko po maiaalis ‘yun, naintindihan ko po sila dahil ako ay nanay din, at ganyan din ho akong mag-worry sa aking mga anak. Pero ang hinihingi ko lang po ay magtulungan tayo at sa ngayon po na may ganito tayong issue ng kidnapping, missing, bantayan po nating mabuti ang ating mga anak (I can’t stop them from worring about their kids. All I ask from them is to help us when the issue of kidnapping and missing kids confronts us. They should watch over their kids more closely).”
Parents who need help in looking for their missing children, or those who have information on missing children are encouraged to call the Provincial Action Center Hotline at 723-9350.
The issue of child abduction in the province came to light after parents and witnesses claimed that at least four children were abducted in Bauan and San Pascual.
Meanwhile, Bauan Mayor Ryanh Dolor claimed that the issue of abduction in his town is just part of a black propaganda against him.
“Gusto nilang ipamukha sa iba na magulo dito, palibhasa malapit na ang eleksyon (There are just people who want to make it seem that everything is falling apart because the elections are coming up),” he said, adding that they have yet to receive reports of missing students in Bauan.
This article has been re-published with permission from ABS-CBNnews.com.
