FACT-CHECK: Circulating post on new kidnap scheme is fake

Claim: PNP has warned the public against a new kidnap scheme targeting girls

Rating: FALSE

Screenshots of a fake social media post purportedly from the Philippine National Police (PNP), warning the public against a supposedly new kidnapping scheme targeting girls, spread quickly on Aug. 26.

This prompted a quick denial from the PNP, which disowned the screenshot that was made to look like the PNP shared it on its Facebook page.

The fake post instructed readers on how to act in a scenario in which a girl on the road asks to be taken to an address. It said the girl should instead be taken to a police station. The fake post went on to claim that the girl-on-the-road scheme was a new way to abduct and abuse girls.

The PNP said the image was a manipulated version of a social media post of its San Mateo Police Station created in July 2020, which was later grabbed by a Facebook news page.

It said it had requested Facebook to take the image down. PressOne.PH has seen it spread in a Facebook Messenger group.

“I call the attention of our public to be more mindful of what we are posting on our social media sites and refrain from spreading unverified information from an unknown source that may lead to public disturbance, panic, and confusion,” PNP Chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said.

This fact-check was produced by PressOne.PH as part of a fact-checking grant from the Philippine Fact-Checker Incubator (PFCI) Project. The PFCI supports news organizations to allow them to meet global fact-checking standards under the International Fact-Checking Network’s Code of Principles. 

PressOne.PH believes that fact-checking is essential to combating misinformation and disinformation, and in informing and educating citizens and voters. Read more of PressOne.PH’s Fact-Checking Policy by clicking here.

The public is welcome to send feedback or requests for fact-checks at news@pressone.ph.