PNP chief belies reports that children are being abducted in areas outside Metro Manila for internal organs

By Ronron
March 12, 2008

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. on Wednesday belied reports that a group is out in areas surrounding Metro Manila to abduct children to get their internal organs.

Razon said the reports are circulating in text messages and these are reportedly happening in Batangas, Cavite, Zambales and Rizal, among others.

“These text messages are not true. Let us not believe those. There are no incidents wherein children are being abducted, their internal organs are taken, and the dead bodies of these children minus their internal organs are just being thrown away,” Razon said.

He said that in fact, they verified with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) the plate number ZMM-507, which is allegedly being used by the suspects in their abduction operations, and they got a negative feedback.

“It was proven that there was on such plate issued by the LTO and this plate has not been done yet,” Razon said.

Razon encouraged the public not to “dignify these malicious text messages” by sending them further to others so as not cause more panic among parents.

He assured that the PNP is investigating the matter to identify the sources of the reports, they are even willing to coordinate with telecommunication companies on this.

“We have given warning and order to our regional directors and provincial directors to be aware that there are incidents like these being reported in Batangas, Cavite, Zambales and Rizal. So they should watch out and do something to assure the public that this is not true and that the PNP is taking steps to identify who are circulating these text messages,” Razon said./DMS