ILOILO – Authorities in Dumangas, Iloilo, are investigating an attempted abduction of an 11-year-old boy, alias “Toto”, who was reportedly targeted while walking home from school on February 17, 2025.
Boy Recounts Frightening Encounter
According to Toto, he was on his way home when two motorcycles stopped behind him and three men attempted to pull his bag.
“Tumigil sila sa likuran ko at hinila nila ang bag ko,” he recalled. (“They stopped behind me and pulled my bag.”)
Acting quickly, Toto resisted and managed to break free before running toward a rice field. The suspects reportedly gave chase but stopped when they saw people nearby.
“Nakita nilang may nagbabantay ng itik, bumalik siguro,” Toto said, suggesting that the presence of duck caretakers deterred them.
Parents and Barangay Officials Take Action
Toto’s father, alias “Art”, expressed his distress over the incident.
“Parang hindi maganda. Sabi ko kung nagkataong nakuha ang anak ko, saan ko siya hahanapin?” he said, fearing what could have happened if his son had been taken.
As a precaution, Art has since started personally accompanying his son to and from school.
Barangay officials have also heightened security, adjusting patrol schedules to ensure children’s safety during school dismissal hours.
“Nag-coordinate kami sa mga teacher, sa parents, na ang mga bata ingatan nila,” said alias “Jeff”, a barangay councilman.
Police Investigation and Safety Reminders
The Dumangas Police have launched an investigation, but no witnesses have come forward to confirm the abduction attempt.
“We cannot yet construe ang kanyang mga scenario at ang mga statement niya to verify kung… if it was abduction or if it was, baka trick lang ng grupo,” said Major Kenn Albert Lepsia, chief of the Dumangas Municipal Police Station.
The child will undergo intervention from the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office to assess his well-being.
In the meantime, police have urged parents, schools, and communities to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity to authorities.