‘Missing persons’ need verification: Baguio PNP chief
>> Saturday, March 26, 2022
BAGUIO CITY- The chief
of police here urged the public to practice self-regulation in posting
instances of missing persons like young girls after news circulated on social
media on this.
“While social media plays a significant role nowadays as it is incredibly used for many reasons particularly sharing news as well as personal opinions or viewpoints with one another in real-time. It has also created the perfect breeding ground for misinformation or “fake news” to spread like wildfire,” said Baguio city police director Col. Glenn D. Lonogan.
“An example of this are trending misinformation regarding persons who have gone absent or missing and were victims of kidnapping, abduction or human trafficking. Many people share misinformation or “fake news” because they find it interesting and relevant to what’s going on. Some tend to share stories that tug at our emotions, and we’re more likely to engage with content that already has a lot of likes, comments, or shares — regardless of whether that content is true or false,” he added.
He said the “seemingly innocent act of sharing misinformation can have unintended and harmful consequences. Fact-checking from credible sources is perhaps the best way to fight the spread of misinformation. Let us verify facts before we post or share. It is very important to note that an individual shall be presumed unharmed and alive until proven otherwise.”
“If someone goes missing, it’s important to stay calm yet you don’t have to wait for 24 hours before you report. The missing persons will only be considered absent persons who is not in his domicile or place where he is supposed to be present in less than 24 hours, and whose families and relatives have no clue as to his/her actual whereabouts”.
Lonogan said a “missing person shall be recorded as such by the PNP after the 24th hour of a person’s perceived disappearance. However, the recording, investigation, and monitoring of cases of missing children and missing victims of disasters or accidents shall begin immediately. If you start to fear for the missing person’s safety and welfare, it is best to contact the nearest police station or the barangay.
He said following information should be provided about the missing person: full name including aliases, date of birth, age, grade level, physical description , clothes worn when last seen, distinguishing features (scars, marks, tattoos), height and weight, gender, race, nationality, hair or eye color, blood type ,where and when last seen or heard from, most recent photograph, names and contact details of friends and associates, known places that the missing person may visit or go, ü bank accounts or credit cards the missing person may be using and contact number, email address, social networking sites accounts like Facebook, Tweeter or Instagram.
Other information that must be divulged include travel plans or destination, persons in company of missing person, medical problems or medications the person may need or birth defects, reason believed why the person wen absent or missing and other information which may help locate the missing person.
Lonogan said for security reasons, the person/s who reported the case shall be required to present evidence to determine if they are the person they are claiming to be.
The case will then be assigned to an investigator who will work to locate the missing person, he added.
“While social media plays a significant role nowadays as it is incredibly used for many reasons particularly sharing news as well as personal opinions or viewpoints with one another in real-time. It has also created the perfect breeding ground for misinformation or “fake news” to spread like wildfire,” said Baguio city police director Col. Glenn D. Lonogan.
“An example of this are trending misinformation regarding persons who have gone absent or missing and were victims of kidnapping, abduction or human trafficking. Many people share misinformation or “fake news” because they find it interesting and relevant to what’s going on. Some tend to share stories that tug at our emotions, and we’re more likely to engage with content that already has a lot of likes, comments, or shares — regardless of whether that content is true or false,” he added.
He said the “seemingly innocent act of sharing misinformation can have unintended and harmful consequences. Fact-checking from credible sources is perhaps the best way to fight the spread of misinformation. Let us verify facts before we post or share. It is very important to note that an individual shall be presumed unharmed and alive until proven otherwise.”
“If someone goes missing, it’s important to stay calm yet you don’t have to wait for 24 hours before you report. The missing persons will only be considered absent persons who is not in his domicile or place where he is supposed to be present in less than 24 hours, and whose families and relatives have no clue as to his/her actual whereabouts”.
Lonogan said a “missing person shall be recorded as such by the PNP after the 24th hour of a person’s perceived disappearance. However, the recording, investigation, and monitoring of cases of missing children and missing victims of disasters or accidents shall begin immediately. If you start to fear for the missing person’s safety and welfare, it is best to contact the nearest police station or the barangay.
He said following information should be provided about the missing person: full name including aliases, date of birth, age, grade level, physical description , clothes worn when last seen, distinguishing features (scars, marks, tattoos), height and weight, gender, race, nationality, hair or eye color, blood type ,where and when last seen or heard from, most recent photograph, names and contact details of friends and associates, known places that the missing person may visit or go, ü bank accounts or credit cards the missing person may be using and contact number, email address, social networking sites accounts like Facebook, Tweeter or Instagram.
Other information that must be divulged include travel plans or destination, persons in company of missing person, medical problems or medications the person may need or birth defects, reason believed why the person wen absent or missing and other information which may help locate the missing person.
Lonogan said for security reasons, the person/s who reported the case shall be required to present evidence to determine if they are the person they are claiming to be.
The case will then be assigned to an investigator who will work to locate the missing person, he added.
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