Sen. Ramon Bong Revilla. (Senate PRIB Photos)
MANILA, Philippines— Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. has asked the Philippine National Police (PNP) to seriously look into the alleged rising cases of abductions and rapes in the country, saying these reports seem to be already setting off “widespread panic and fear.”
In a letter to PNP chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. this Friday, Revilla urged the PNP to verify the reports circulating on social media about the alleged “increasing abductions of minor children, mostly female, by persons aboard white vans.”
He noted that similar reports have previously emerged on social media, but the police dismissed these as unverified and untrue.
“I urge the PNP to seriously look into these posts that have been widely shared on social media, starting to cause widespread panic and fear,” Revilla said the in the letter.
“I likewise urge the police force to investigate similar reports involving rape and sexual assault of hapless women,” he also said.
Since the return of face-to-face classes, many parents have contacted the senator’s office to express concern over their children’s safety.
“We must be certain as to the truth or falsity of these reports,” Revilla said. “We must allay the fears of our people and get to the root of these reports.”
If it turns out that such reports were fabricated to sow fear, the senator wants the persons responsible prosecuted.
“If there is truth to these reports, then we must waste no time in apprehending the perpetrators,” he said.
“We must ensure that no unnecessary worry is spread among the public as we guarantee the safety of the people.”
Pending investigation, Revilla requested the PNP to submit summary reports of the status and actions taken by the police on the reported abductions and rape.
PNP spokesperson Jean Fajardo said earlier there is no pattern that the recent abductions were connected.