Malacañang apparently reacted too soon to the alleged abduction and rape of an anti-drug agent's daughter when the incident turned out to be a false report.

While they welcome that no crime was committed, Deputy Presidential Spokeswoman Lorelei Fajardo Tuesday conceded that the Palace would now check the validity of any reports before issuing any comments and directives.

“Next time siguro, talagang kailangan muna ma-verify nang husto,” Fajardo said, after police investigators ruled out any abduction and rape of the 13-year-old girl, who was not confirmed as a daughter of a government anti-drug operative.

Fajardo however brushed aside insinuations that the President was a victim of “kuryente” or a bum steer when she expressed concern over the alleged drug-related offense and directed authorities to run after the perpetrators, and provide aid to the victim.

She admitted that the President’s outrage over the alleged rape of a minor was just a natural reaction as a mother when she first heard the news.

“Nakita mo kasi nasa headline kaagad, binabasa niya, ganoon lang iyong nangyari. Wala naman siguro masama na nag-react si Pangulo. Normal naman yun,” she said. “Hindi naman masasabing kuryente dahil syempre magiging initial reaction lang naman as a mother and as naturally, alam nyo naman ang stand ng Pangulo pagdating sa droga,” she added.

Fajardo insisted that Malacañang was not careless in dealing with the raw report, saying the authorities were directed to verify the alleged crime committed against the teenager.

She explained that the Palace was trying to get an official report from the police about the alleged rape of a young girl and validate if the incident was connected with the illegal drug trade. But the police, she said, was unable to immediately provide the report last Monday.

“We said that it was still under investigation. The President’s instructions were to give the victim the assistance and her family, including protection if needed,” she said.

Later in the afternoon, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said the Palace is “happy” to hear the alleged rape of the anti-drug agent’s daughter was negative.

Remonde, in a teleconference with reporters in the Palace, said the government’s campaign against the illegal drug trade will still be pursued without letup despite the apparent blunder. “This will not change the policy of government declaring an all out war against illegal drugs,” he said.

He said the President remains opposed to the reimposition of death penalty for drug traffickers, adding that capital punishment was not a solution to criminality. He said the government would instead pursue more aggressive and stringent implementation of anti-drug laws to put an end to the menace and their peddlers.

Remonde said though they respect any moves from lawmakers if they intend to pursue the revival of death penalty.