Several text messages shared via Facebook and private messaging platforms claim that at least 10 inmates have bolted prison in Bacoor, Cavite. These are not true.
The posts have been circulating as early as Feb. 27. The common narrative is that persons under police custody and those deprived of liberty involved in the jailbreak have a history of robbery, kidnapping and carnapping.
A Feb. 28 post read:
“Red Alert!! Kppsok lang ng balita mga maam/sir mag iingat po Ang lhat part Ng cavite area Lalo na po s bacoor Meron pong more than 10 inmates Ang nkawala gumawa po cla Ng pag kidnap at holdap, maari lang po na mag double ingat Ang lahat
(This news just came in, Ma’ams/Sirs. Be careful everyone [in] all parts of the Cavite area especially in Bacoor. There are more than 10 inmates who have escaped. They’ve done kidnapping and robbery, everyone please be extra careful).”
While the posts alarmed several netizens, some questioned their legitimacy.
In a Feb. 27 statement, the Bacoor Component City Police Station debunked the circulating claims.
“We want to assure the public that these claims are entirely baseless and constitute FAKE NEWS or MISINFORMATION. Following a thorough investigation, the Bacoor PNP has diligently coordinated with all Custodial Centers and BJMP facilities, and it has been conclusively verified that there is no truth to the rumors,” a part of its advisory read.
Also shared by the Bacoor City Government’s Official FB page, the statement further urged the public to avoid causing unnecessary panic by only sharing verified information. It also reminded netizens that “false alarms can have serious consequences and impact public safety.”
The Cavite Police Provincial Office’s Feb. 26 statement also clarified that there is no surge in robbery and carnapping in the province.
The National Capital Region’s Southern Police District also refuted false claims about a supposed jailbreak in their jurisdiction two weeks ago.
In 2018, 23 inmates reportedly escaped from a custodial center in Bacoor City, but most were recaptured.
VERA Files Fact Check has flagged other crime-related hoaxes that spread over the past months. (Read Circulating text on ‘chop-chop syndicate’ is an OLD HOAX from 2017)
The erroneous posts circulated two days after the Bacoor police arrested a most wanted person who allegedly violated the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2022.
They were shared by FB users as well as by the page Philippine WARRIOR’s (created on July 30,2020 as HUGOT NG MGA KAWAL) and in the group Stateland hills Rucket hub (July 2, 2021).
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(Editor’s Note: VERA Files has partnered with Facebook to fight the spread of disinformation. Find out more about this partnership and our methodology.)
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