Police officials have issued stern warnings about the proliferation of false kidnapping rumors on social media, noting that no child abduction incidents have occurred in the island despite widespread public fears.

Multiple police stations, including the Oriental Mindoro Police Provincial Office (PPO), Pola Municipal Police Station, and Calapan City Police Station, launched separate investigations following a surge of Facebook posts claiming attempted child kidnappings.

After extensive verification efforts, PNP officials declared these reports to be “completely fabricated.”

“These allegations are causing unnecessary panic in our communities,” said a statement from the Oriental Mindoro PPO’s Public Information Office.

“Our thorough investigation has revealed no evidence supporting any kidnapping attempts in Calapan City or surrounding municipalities.”

Law enforcement officials are taking a hard stance against the spread of misinformation.

Under Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code and Presidential Decree 90, individuals found guilty of spreading false information that causes public panic face serious consequences.

Violators could be imprisoned for one to six months or fined up to P200,000 under the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 if such disinformation is spread through social media platforms.

In response to growing public anxiety, local schools and Parent-Teacher Associations are strengthening their dismissal procedures.

“The security of students is a shared responsibility among schools, parents, and the entire community,” according to the Pola Municipal Police Station advisory.

The Calapan City Police Station has established dedicated hotlines for public inquiries and reports: 09537541605 (TM) and 09985985813 (Smart). Similarly, the Pola Municipal Police Station can be reached at 09152254041.

Police officials outlined specific guidelines for the public: verify information before sharing, especially on social media; report suspicious activities immediately to the nearest police station; avoid spreading unverified information that could cause panic; and rely only on official and trustworthy sources for information.

“While we appreciate the public’s vigilance, spreading unverified information does more harm than good,” the Oriental Mindoro PPO said. “Our officers remain on high alert and continue to ensure the safety of our communities.”

Police officials said they maintain increased patrols around schools and public areas as a precautionary measure, though they stress that no credible threats have been identified.