Two siblings, one with albinism, residing in Tigaon, Camarines Sur were taken from their parents by a man pretending to be the staff of a charity vlogger.
According to a report in “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho,” the incident began when the family was approached by someone who introduced himself as Jojo Olason.
Jojo then claimed that he was working with vlogger Virgelyncares who once helped the family, and that he was ordered to bring the kids — “Marie,” 9, and “Mario,” 6 — to Naga.
“Dadalhin daw dun kay Sir Virgelyn tapos pupunta daw kay Mayor, hihingi daw ng kaunting tulong na mapabubungan ang bahay namin,” the father, Erwin, said. “Sabi ko salamat sa Diyos.”
[“He said that he’d bring them to Sir Virgelyn and ask the Mayor to help our family. I was very grateful.”]
He added, “Wala akong cellphone. Wala akong number dun kay Sir Virgelyn kaya hindi ko natawagan sila. Ang sabi ko sa kanya, ‘Huwag pababayaan yan.'”
[“I didn’t have a phone so we couldn’t call Sir Virgelyn to confirm. I asked Jojo to take care of my children.”]
Erwin was worried that the worst would happen to “Marie” and “Mario”.
“Ang naisip ko ‘yung bata ginawan ng masama,” he said. “Sabi ko baka saan dalhin, ipagbili, o kung patayin, gahasain yung anak ko. Sabi ko pag ginawa niya ‘yan, talagang hindi ko mapapatawad ang sarili ko.”
[“I was worried that something bad would happen to them. They might hurt, sell, kill or rape my child. I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if anything happened to my children.”]
The kids’ mother Alma said they then reached out to the vlogger, VirgelynCares.
“‘Yung kapatid po ng asawa ko po, nag-text po kay Virgelyn sa Manila kaya po naghingi ako ng konting tulong,” she said. “Para po makita po sa lahat na nawawala po ‘yung dalawa ko pong anak.”
[“My husband’s sibling reached out to Virgelyn to ask for help, so we could see our children again.”]
When the news reached the vlogger, he immediately took to social media to ask for help.
“‘Yung nabalitaan kong pinakuha ko, parang hindi na ‘yun tama,” Virgilyn said. “Wala akong kaalam-alam. Nasa bundok ako noon, pababa ako noon pauwi.”
[“I had no idea about what happened, because I was just on my way home.”]
The authorities later received information on the possible whereabouts of two children in the town of Tinambac.
Police caught Jojo inside the house where he was residing, together with the kids.
The authorities also confiscated a bag that had sensitive photos of minors that Jojo claimed were his relatives. The KMJS team asked around, but no one could verify the children’s identities or if they were Jojo’s nieces or nephews.
According to Jojo, they got stranded so he was not able to return the kids to their family.
“Nagahol po kasi kami sa oras,” he said. “Tatlong araw po kami doon sa Tinambac. Wala po silang dalang damit po na bibihisan. Linalabhan ko po ang mga damit nila. Umuulan po sa Tinambac kaya di po kami nakakauwi. Di kami nakatuloy sa pupuntahan sana namin. Doon sa vlogger.”
[“We ran out of time. We were in Tinambac for three days. The kids did not have extra clothes so I had to wash their clothes. It was raining so we weren’t able to go to the vlogger’s place.”]
He then admitted that he saw the kids in Virgelyn’s vlog.
“Naririnig-rinig ko na po na ginagamit ng magulang, pinapalimos ‘yung dalawang anak. Nagtanong po ako kung saan ‘yung bahay ng anak araw kasi bibisitahin ko po at tutulungan ko. Binigyan ko po ng 13 kilos na bigas tapos 500 po,” he claimed. “Wala naman po akong ginagawang masama sa bata. Nagsisisi po ako sa nangyari po na sinama ko po ‘yung bata na hindi ko inuwi ng ilang araw.”
[“I was told that the children were being used by the parents to ask for alms. I wanted to give the family food and some cash. I didn’t do anything bad to the children. I regret not having brought the kids home sooner.”]
According to PCPT. David F. Olleres Jr. of the Philippine National Police, they are now conducting an in-depth investigation into the case.
“Sa ngayon, wala kaming makita na anggulo na may sindikato na humahawak dito kay suspek. Magco-conduct pa din kami ng in-depth investigation regarding dito.”
[“Right now, we don’t have enough evidence to say that the suspect is operating under a syndicate. We’re still conducting an investigation.”]
Meanwhile, Virgelyn visited the family again to bring food and some construction materials for their house.
The incident also served as a lesson for Virgelyn not to share personal information about those he is helping.
“Siguro iwasan ko ‘yung pagpost ng mga address nila,” he said. “Magiging maingat na lang.”
[“We’ll be more careful and we’ll stop posting their address.”] —JCB, GMA Integrated News
