Sarah Geronimo’s mom, Divine, appeared on “TV Patrol” on Aug. 9 to make this plea: “Hindi dapat mangyari ‘to kung may mga pag-iingat talagang ginagawa. Mapagkumbaba ako, humihingi ako ng tulong. Hindi namin kaya ‘tong mag-isa.”

Although she did not expound on the kind of help she needs, Sarah’s dad, Delfin, related his recent ordeal. On Aug. 8, a man posed as someone pretending to deliver a gift for Sarah, allegedly forcibly tried to get Delfin inside his van in a purported kidnap attempt inside the ELJ Building at the ABS-CBN compound.

“Nagsisi-sigaw na ako nun. Hindi ko na alam kung anong nangyayari. Basta ano ko, makuha ko lang atensiyon ng mga gwardiya,” he recalled.

However, on the Aug. 10 telecast of “TV Patrol,” the suspect’s family derided the harsh accusations against Paulino Mercado. Sobbing uncontrollably, one of Paulino’s kids pleaded, “Ate Sarah, sana patawarin niyo na si papa.”

The report said that the family was shocked to see Mercado on TV, with handcuffs on. His wife, Evelyn Mercado, reasoned out, “Kasi ang Airline business ngayon nagkaka-problema. Since aircraft mechanic siya, yun pong work na nakukuha niya ngayon, contractual. Hindi po niya talaga kagustuhan ang mga nangyari. Dala lang po talaga siguro ng kagipitan.”

Even Mercado’s neighbor expressed surprise at the incident. A neighbor, identified as Cristy, even described him as, “Mabait na tao… baka naimpluwensiyahan lang siya.”

Meanwhile, Mercado’s relatives said that the gifts that were found in his van were really from them, saying perhaps they were old Christmas gifts that weren’t given out, presumably that’s why Mercado thought of bringing them to ABS-CBN.

Mercado, who posed as a fan of Sarah, has reportedly been imprisoned after the alleged attack. However, the PNP said he did not have any criminal records, and the “TV Patrol” report also stated that their family already got a lawyer and they also planned to go to ABS-CBN to apologize to the Geronimo family.

The timeline

As reported on “TV Patrol,” this is the timeline of the purported crime, as captured by CCTV cameras in the parking area, as well as in the building:

9:09 a.m. – Mercado’s van enters the parking area
11 a.m. - He goes out of basement and goes into The Loop, the area at the ground floor of ELJ Building that houses food and clothing concessionaires
12:16 p.m. – He was seen walking around loop area going to the 2nd floor
12:18 – He approached the event marshall from whom he asked help to contact Geronimo to hand him a gift for Sarah
12:58 – Geronimo was caught on camera heading to the ground floor to talk to Mercado
12:59 – Mercado and Geronimo were seen together; it was said that the purported crime was committed around 1 p.m.
1:05 – By this time, the cameras caught Mercado being escorted to security office

As per ABS-CBN’s report, the alleged crime happened within just five minutes.

ABS-CBN Corporate Security and Safety Head said it was possible that the suspect had done surveillance to plan his alleged attack. Saying it was the first time a crime such as this happened inside the compound, Luspo pointed out that the parking lot of the said building was also open to the public, given that the building has several concessionaires.

“We asked some of our guards kung nakita na ba o namataan nila,” Luspo stated. “And there were indications, na parang nakita na nila ‘yung tao na ‘yun in the past. But again, wala silang nakitang kakaiba sa kanyang mga movements na dapat panghinalaan siya na may binabalak na ‘di maganda.”

Worried stars

Because of this incident, ABS-CBN stars have expressed worry for their own safety.

“Nakakatakot na, na anywhere [it] can happen,” said Jessie Mendiola, star of “Kung Tayo’y Magkakalayo.”

A “Momay” cast member also said, “Siyempre nakakagulat kasi kung iisipin mo. Private place ‘to dapat and kahit sa basement siya, ‘yung security dapat matindi…”

Actor John Prats added, “Nakakatakot dahil ako, usually nagtatambay ako sa basement 1 kasi dun kami nagpa-park ‘pag may ‘ASAP.’ Hindi lang sa daddy ni Sarah, kahit kanino pwedeng mangyari.”

While Luspo advised people not to panic, he did give this warning: “’Wag kayong masyadong kampante. Kailangan nating i-consider na some people ay may mga balak na ‘di maganda sa atin.”

And while Luspo contends that his guards did not commit any mistakes, noting that this is an isolated incident, this would most likely instigate changes in security measures imposed by the company.