CANDABA – Two public school students here were almost kidnapped the other day by an unidentified individuals loaded  in white van in Barangay Pescadores this town.

“Pauwi na yung apo ko ng biglang hinirang ng mga kilalang kalalakihan na nakasakay sa van. Pilit siyang pinapasakay at inalok ng kung ano ano. Natakot siya at buti na lang nakatakbo,” Florencia Quinto, grandmother of one of the students told Sun Star Pampanga.

Karen and Ivan (not their true names)were on their way home for lunch when the suspects in two separate incidents tried to offer cell phone and money to persuade them to go  inside the van.

However, these students rejected the offer and run away instead.

Kidnapping syndicate   

The local folks here present during the investigation opined that the suspects were probably members of a notorious syndicate responsible to the growing number of missing children in different places.

“Sa dati television lang natin naririnig na mayroon mga nawawalang bata. Yung iba pa nga batay sa balita ay kinukuhanan pa ng organ. Sana huwag nating payagan na mayroong mabiktima dito sa ating bayan,”  Teodie Polintan, a resident here said.

Marching order
Mayor Rene Maglanque upong learning the incident, immediately ordered the local police through the town’s chief of police Superintendent Benjamin Medina to intensify its police visibility in various communities, public schools and other public places to make sure that  no student or resident will get abducted.

Maglanque instructed the police the monitor the said  areas on a 24-hour basis.

“Pinamomonitor natin mabuti ang ating bayan. Hindi natin papayagan na makapasok sa atin ang anumang grupo na gagawa ng hindi maganda sa ating mga kababayan,” the mayor stated.

Police collaboration with barangay tanods

Mayor Maglanque previously  presided a meeting between the local police and barangay leaders to determine their degree of cooperation in improving the peace and order situation in town.  
 
He believed  that even organized criminal groups will not come to operate in Candaba when there is collaboration between authorities and residents  in addressing the problem on criminality.

Maglanque noted that partnership  between the police and community will greatly help improve the peace and order situation in Candaba.