The Talibon Police Station on Tuesday belied information circulated on social media which indicated the existence of the so-called “Spray Gang,” a burglary ring which allegedly used sleeping agents to knock victims out.
According PO2 Henry Estellore, the false information which was spread through Facebook earlier this week did more harm than good as it only caused panic.
The Talibon Police Station did not receive any report on the operation of a crime group purportedly called Spray Gang in the said town, Estellore said.
No burglary cases wherein suspects used the said method have also been carried out and filed before the police station.
According to Estellore, the original source of the fabricated advisory merely used the name of the Talibon Police Station in disseminating the incorrect information.
The bogus advisory which was printed on paper and photographed before it was posted online indicated that the Spray Gang operated in the villages of Tanghaligue and San Isidro in Talibon and nearby towns of Trinidad and Ubay.
Members of the gang allegedly sprayed sleeping agents to knock their victims out while they stole their belongings.
Meanwhile, authorities directed the person who first posted the false advisory online to delete the post which duped several netizens into sharing the unverified report.
Estellore, however, still urged the public to be vigilant as to avoid being victimized by any type of criminal activity. (Allen Doydora)