The News Of The Kidnapping Of Children That Went Viral On Social Media Is Confirmed By The North Sulawesi Regional Police As A Hoax

Head of Public Relations Kombes Jules Abraham Abast /DOK VIA ANTARA

MANADO - Head of Public Relations Kombes Jules Abraham Abast said the information about child abductions that was viral on social media recently was not true or a hoax.

"The information about the kidnapping of children is a hoax. People should not easily believe it, because until now the North Sulawesi Regional Police and their ranks have not received an official report regarding a child abduction case," said Abast in Manado, quoted by Antara, Monday, December 6.

The issue of kidnapping children reportedly occurred in several areas, such as in Mapanget and Malalayang, Manado City, as well as in Kalawat, North Minahasa Regency.

In Malalayang, information circulated on Friday, December 3, that it was reported that a 9-year-old elementary school student (SD) had been kidnapped on her way home from school.

"In fact, there was no kidnapping," said Kombes Abast.

He said the girl was only late to return home, but the family panicked and spread information about the kidnapping because it was influenced by previous rumors.

"Then the family has clarified that there was no kidnapping, and has apologized," he said.

Kombes Abast also explained the issue of the kidnappings in Mapanget and Kalawat, which occurred on Thursday and Sunday last week.

"That's not true," said Abast.

Abast said that in Mapanget, there was a teenage boy who was approached by an unknown person. Frightened, he walked away and the unknown man hurried away.

"There was no kidnapping," he said.

Meanwhile, in North Minahasa Kalawat, continued Abast, initially there was a commotion at the motorcycle taxi base in Kolongan Tetempangan Village. The locals thought there was a kidnapping attempt.

"The two people who are rumored to have carried out the kidnapping, in fact will take their family members who have mental disorders to RSJ Ratumbuysang Manado for treatment. But in the middle of the journey the person concerned rebelled until a tug of war occurred. So it's not an attempted kidnapping," said Abast.

Regarding these issues, Abast appealed to the public to increase their vigilance. Especially parents, in order to increase supervision of their children when playing outside the house to avoid things that are not desirable.

"And what is no less important is not to be easily influenced, let alone participate in spreading information whose truth and source are not clear, because it can cause unrest and panic in the community," said Abast.

He also advised the public, if you see an unknown person with suspicious behavior and even have the potential to cause a disturbance in security and order, they should immediately report it to the police.

"Don't act alone. Immediately report to the nearest police station, so that it can be investigated quickly and handled properly, so that it does not disturb the stability of public security and order," he said.