This was declared by the Southern Police District (SPD) in relation to social media posts claiming that impostors pretending to have been hit by a vehicle would appear, introduce themselves as police officers, and forcibly take the car to disassemble and sell it. It was also reported that the vehicle's driver could potentially be kidnapped for ransom.
According to the SPD, they have not received any reports of such incidents or victims seeking assistance related to this alleged modus operandi.
It was also discovered that the aforementioned posts are merely "recycled" from social media posts that circulated before the pandemic.
"Validation has been made and found no truth to any of the claims in the said post. It is crucial to approach such information with utmost discernment and verify its authenticity before posting. In order to ensure the safety and security of the community, the Southern Police District has placed extensive security measures such as active police presence especially in crime prone areas with the end goal of preventing crime. SPD remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring public safety and maintaining law and order," The SPD announced in a statement.
The SPD emphasized that any incidents like these should be immediately reported to the relevant authorities for investigation.
"Public awareness is crucial, but equally important is the responsible sharing of information to prevent unnecessary panic and misinformation. We encourage the public to exercise caution, verify facts, and rely on official channels for accurate and up-to-date information," concluded the SPD statement.
(Art card from the Philippine National Police)
