Search on for missing college student

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City Police Office-Mabolo Police Station has intensified the search for a female college student in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City, who has been reported missing since last week.

Jannah Balag Sarabosing, 21, a second-year BS Social Work student at University of Southern Philippines Foundation, a native of Barangay Juagdan, Ubay town in Bohol, and renting a dormitory near the school, has reportedly been unreachable since 10 A.M. of March 3, prompting her parents, friends, and the university’s student government body to seek assistance from police.

Mabolo police station chief Police Major Eric Gingoyon said Sarabosing was formally reported missing in their station by 10 P.M. of March 9, six days after she was last seen. He said that her disappearance wasn’t immediately reported to the police station, adding that social media posts came earlier instead.

Acting on the report, Gingoyon said operatives from the City Investigation and Detection Unit immediately conducted a backtracking of closed-circuit television footage (CCTV) in potential areas that may have recorded the victim’s whereabouts.

Based on the gathered footage, Gingoyon said Sarabosing was last seen riding a motorcycle with an unidentified motorcycle-for-hire driver outside the university at around 1 P.M. on March 3.

“Last man gud nato nakita si victim adtong March 3, nakita siya nisakay siya atong habal-habal,” he said. He added investigators are still looking for other footage as what they have was blurry and they are having difficulty determining the motorcycle's plate number and who the driver was.

“Lisod kaayo siya i-trace kay murag blurry man gud siya. So, maong nangita mi og mga maayong mga angle para makita jud ang plaka sa motor para ma-istorya namo to ang driver og asa g’yud niya nahatod (o) asa g’yud nagpahatod ang bata,” said Gingoyon.

Additionally, Gingoyon said that investigation into the gathered footage is still ongoing to determine where the victim was actually going, noting that there blind spots not covered by cameras.

Apart from the backtracking operations through CCTV footage, Gingoyon said that investigators have also coordinated with her parents, schoolmates, and dorm mates.

It was learned from them that the victim doesn’t talk much about her whereabouts. She was also described as an introvert.

Attempts to call her cellphone number are blocked, including calls from her boyfriend from Manila.

“Usa sa nakalisod sa pag-trace sa iyaha gud, wala g’yuy naka-contact sa iyaha. Iya g’yung gi-block tanan, maskin ‘tong iyang boyfriend from Manila daw di sad maka-contact sa iyaha. So, mao na isa sa dilemma namo,” Gingoyon said.

Gingoyon also revealed she was no longer attending classes, saying that she was unable to enroll for the second semester of the current academic year.

He urged the public to immediately report to the nearest police station if they see Sarabosing and reminded people to avoid spreading unnecessary and misleading information claiming to have seen the victim then ask for money in return.

“Unta mo report dayon sila sa kapulisan unya dili nila i-take advantage ingon aning panahona nga muingon nga nakakita kuno unya mangayo og bayad,” said Gingoyon.

Meanwhile, the Cebu City Government is intensifying its campaign to protect vulnerable communities by strengthening partnerships against human trafficking while ensuring the strict implementation of the Bawal Bastos Ordinance, also known as the Safe Spaces Act (Republic Act 11313).

Mayor Nestor Archival earlier welcomed representatives from Called to Rescue, an international anti-human trafficking organization, led by its founder Dr. Cyndi Romine.

The delegation included Anthony Pangilinan, president of Called to Rescue Philippines, Shalom Cabugting, Claire Prima, and Celeste See.

The courtesy call visit highlighted the urgent need to address poverty as one of the root causes of trafficking, with families often resorting to harmful activities for survival.

Archival emphasized that technology, while often misused for exploitation, can also be harnessed for positive livelihood programs that empower families to generate legal income.

The collaboration will involve awareness campaigns in Cebu communities, rescue operations in coordination with the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation, and rehabilitation efforts for survivors.

 Archival also invited the organization to visit the Sta. Rita de Cascia Women & Children Center, a city-run facility that shelters abandoned or abused women and children, stressing the city’s commitment to holistic support for vulnerable groups.

Alongside anti-trafficking initiatives, Cebu City is reinforcing its implementation of the Bawal Bastos Ordinance.

Archival stressed the importance of public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about their rights under the Safe Spaces Act, which penalizes acts such as catcalling, sexual jokes, stalking, and online harassment.

Law enforcement authorities were urged to ensure consistent enforcement, with example cases serving as reminders that violations will not go unpunished.

The ordinance mandates that schools, workplaces, and offices adopt anti-harassment policies, safe reporting systems, and awareness programs. Citizens are encouraged to report harassment to barangay officials, police authorities, school or workplace administrators, or LGU help desks. (CEBU NEWS)