MPD traces van used in failed ‘abduction’

MANILA, Philippines—The Manila Police District (MPD) said it had identified the owner of the white van used in what may be a failed abduction targeting a 13-year-old male student in Quiapo last week.

The boy was slightly injured but lost his backpack to the person in the van who tried to grab him.

The Nissan Urvan (WOW 232) is said to be registered to a woman in Silang, Cavite province, based on records from the Land Transportation Office. The vehicle was captured on a security camera as it passed through Hidalgo Street around 6 p.m. on Nov. 27, near Nazarene Catholic School.

An MPD report on the incident said the student was then walking just outside the school with four friends when he felt someone grabbing him from behind.

One witness, a school employee, said he saw the victim and his friends running away from the van and that he tried to chase the vehicle while repeatedly shouting “kidnapper!” to alert bystanders. He managed to take down the vehicle’s plate number as it sped toward Quezon Boulevard.

The boy sustained scratches on his arm, the witness said.

Senior Insp. Alden Panganiban, commander of the MPD Barbosa precinct in Sta. Cruz, said an initial report of the incident described it as a robbery since the boy lost his school bag.

But Panganiban said the type of vehicle used in the crime raised the possibility that it was a failed abduction.

“If the suspects wanted to only rob the victim, why did they use a van? Why not use a motorcycle which makes for an easier getaway?” said the official, who said the MPD is now coordinating with the Calabarzon police to locate the van’s owner.

Last month, a 21-year-old student and a 14-year-old girl were reportedly abducted and molested by men riding a van in Makati City.

Soon after the news of the two incidents broke out, a transgender woman came forward to reveal that she experienced the same attack in September.