CEBU, Philippines - Do not believe or share information on social media that is unverified. This was the plea of Dalaguete Police chief, Senior Insp. Abell Laborte, to netizens following messages that circulated online, which said the Abu Sayyaf group has kidnapped three people in Oslob and Santander towns in the south.

"Ato lang pod tambag sa mga tawo nga hilig sa social media nga kung pwede, dili pod dayon i-share kung dili tinood kay makadugang na sa kahadlok sa mga tawo bisan pa og binuang," Laborte said.

While the information proved to be negative, Laborte said the police are also tracking who is behind the viral message.

"Kung nagtuo sila nga joke lang na, ato silang pahibaw-on nga dili na maayo. Magpatabang ta sa CIDG (Criminal Investigation and Detection Group) kay naa mana sila'y gamit para masubay ang IP address kung asa gikan ang post. Ato ning ilhon kay dili ni maayo," he said.

He said the public also has the responsibility to verify information they see online before believing or sharing it, especially if the information does not come from credible sources.

"Dili man unta na mahitabo kung dili tagdon sa mga tawo sa social media… unta, responsable pod sila sa ilang himoon," Laborte lamented.

Security in the south, however, has been augmented.

A team of Scout Rangers from 31st Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army has also been deployed in Dalaguete and will serve as a Quick Response Team in the area.

Elements of the Regional Public Safety Battalion -7 were also added to secure the town.

Last November 3, the US Embassy issued a statement advising US citizens to avoid travelling to the southern part of Cebu, especially in Dalaguete, Oslob and Sumilon Island as an alleged terrorist group plans to conduct kidnappings.

Following the advisory, Chief Supt. Noli Taliño of the Police Regional Office-7 said the areas mentioned, as well as the whole Central Visayas, is safe.

Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Lloyd Dino said Cebu Province is generally peaceful and Cebu Provincial Governor Hilario Davide III has said he will work hand-in-hand with PRO-7.

Still, the public has been advised to remain vigilant. —/JMO (FREEMAN)