Authorities in Bulacan are racing against time after CCTV footage emerged showing the final moments of several women who went missing after allegedly meeting someone they connected with online. The case, now under full-scale investigation, has gripped the public’s attention and reignited fears over the growing number of meetup-related disappearances in the country.

According to the initial police report, the women — all in their 20s — were last seen leaving their respective homes to attend a supposed business or social meetup in the area. Families said the victims were in good spirits and had informed relatives that they would return home later that evening. But none of them did.

Days later, their families began to panic after calls and messages to their phones went unanswered. One parent described the ordeal as “a living nightmare,” saying, “She told us it was just a quick meetup. We didn’t know it would be the last time we’d see her.”

In a major development, CCTV footage obtained from a local establishment has shed new light on the timeline of events. The video shows two of the missing women arriving at a meeting place — a café located near a busy commercial strip in Bulacan. They appeared calm and unaware of any danger. Moments later, a vehicle pulled up, and the women were seen entering it voluntarily. That was the last known trace of them.

Authorities have since identified the vehicle’s make and partial plate number, and investigators are now tracing its registered owner. “The footage is crucial,” said Police Captain [name withheld pending case update]. “It confirms that the women were not taken by force at that moment. The challenge now is finding who they met — and why they never returned.”

The case has triggered widespread concern across the province, with social media flooded by posts from worried residents urging caution when meeting people from online platforms. The victims’ names and photos have circulated widely as volunteers join search efforts alongside local police.

DJ Zsan, host of the popular Tagalog Crimes Story series, covered the case in a recent episode that quickly went viral. In his report, he warned the public about the alarming trend of women disappearing after meeting strangers through social media or online selling groups. “This is not an isolated case,” DJ Zsan emphasized. “We’ve seen a rise in similar incidents — young women lured into meetups that end in tragedy.”

Authorities are also investigating whether this case is linked to a larger criminal group operating in the region. Some witnesses claimed to have seen unfamiliar individuals in the area around the time of the disappearances, while others mentioned reports of a suspicious van roaming nearby.

As the investigation continues, the families of the missing women are pleading for help and information. Many have gathered daily at the local police station, hoping for any update. “We just want them home,” one mother said tearfully. “We don’t care what happened. We just need to know they’re safe.”

Police have promised to strengthen surveillance and patrol operations in potential danger zones around Bulacan, as well as coordinate with cybercrime units to trace digital conversations between the victims and the person or persons they were scheduled to meet.

Meanwhile, netizens have been urged to refrain from spreading unverified information that could interfere with the ongoing investigation. “Every minute counts,” said a police spokesperson. “We’re asking the public to share only credible leads with authorities. Social media can help — but misinformation can also waste precious time.”

Experts also remind the public to exercise extreme caution when arranging meetups. They recommend always choosing public places, informing family members, and avoiding bringing large amounts of money or valuables. “Online scams have evolved,” said one criminologist. “Some are no longer just about stealing money — they target people themselves.”

As of this writing, the search continues, with authorities hoping that the CCTV footage will lead them closer to the truth. Whether this case ends in reunion or heartbreak remains uncertain — but one thing is clear: the haunting disappearance of the Bulacan women has once again exposed the dangers of blind trust in the digital age.