MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang dismissed as isolated the alleged kidnapping of a Chinese woman in Makati’s financial district.
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo, however, advised the public to “always be alert” following the incident.
Makati City police chief Col. Rogelio Simon said that based on witnesses’ accounts, the still unidentified victim casually hopped aboard a Kia Carnival van along Paseo de Roxas corner Nieva Street on Monday at 9 p.m.
READ: Makati police probing reported abduction of Chinese woman
The two still unidentified suspects also went inside the van, and the victim tried to force her way out of the vehicle and started shouting after a few minutes.
“We should always be alert whenever they are out. And be conscious around them if they see any suspicious men and women lurking around they should report it immediately to the police authorities,” Panelo said in a Palace briefing.
“I think that particular incident is isolated. I have not heard of any kidnapping cases reported by the media or whether word of mouth except for the video that went viral,” he added.