High school student claims attempted kidnapping

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines  â€” A 14-year old student of the Tampi National High School in Barangay Tandayag in Amlan, Negros Oriental has claimed that some persons allegedly attempted to kidnap her late Tuesday in that town about 20 minutes north of this capital city.

Inspector Nathaniel Rubia, chief of police of San Jose, the nearest town to Tandayag, disclosed that the girl, 14 years old and a third year student of the said public high school, told police investigators early Wednesday that around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, while she was walking home, a white van slowed down by her side.

The girl, whose identity is being withheld due to being a minor, further claimed that the sliding door of the van was opened and she saw another young person inside.

She told investigators she immediately ran and claimed that two persons followed her on foot but failed to catch up with her.

But, according to Rubia, based on early investigation, residents in the area were not aware of the alleged incident.

A person interviewed by the police said he saw a girl running about that time but did not notice people following her.

Superintendent Alet Virtucio, OIC provincial police director, said he had immediately ordered the police to conduct checkpoints following the report. He, however, admitted there were loose ends to the reported alleged attempt to kidnap the girl. Nevertheless, the police are further investigating the incident, he said.

Virtucio is calling now on the public to stay calm amid speculation that some people are out to kidnap young people for their internal organs that are being sold in an illegal trade.

Virtucio, despite similar reports in previous years, said there has been so far no report of a child or a young person being kidnapped or declared missing in Negros Oriental for that reason.  (FREEMAN)