Doctor snatched in Novaliches

A female physician whose family runs a private hospital in Caloocan City was kidnapped by unidentified gunmen in Quezon City Tuesday night.

This developed as Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Leandro Mendoza expressed alarm over the resurgence of kidnapping in the country, particularly in the provinces.

Dr. Susan Nonado was passing through Zabarte Road in Novaliches in her red Nissan Terrano at 10 p.m. Tuesday when she was waylaid by gunmen. Witnesses told police that her driver was also taken by the kidnappers.

It could not be immediately ascertained if Nonado’s abductors had contacted her family to demand ransom.

Nonado’s kidnapping was the 12th reported to authorities since Jan. 1. The 11 other cases were reported in Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog, and Northern and Central Mindanao.

Mendoza said the kidnapping cases should be enough reason for the police to work harder.

Speaking during the 13th anniversary celebration of the PNP at Camp Olivas in Pampanga, Mendoza said the rising incidence of kidnapping in several provinces should send police officials back to the drawing board to assess their work.

He noted that unlike in the past, many of the kidnappings reported this year were perpetrated by criminals who settle for low ransom payments ranging from P200,000 to P500,000.

Mendoza said at least four Filipino-Chinese residents were kidnapped in the cities of Angeles, Tarlac and Dagupan this month.

"This shows that kidnappers are no longer just in Metro Manila. Many groups have also sprouted in different provinces ready to strike if there is an opportunity," he said.

Mendoza is calling for a conference with his top generals today at Camp Crame to assess the situation. He is expected to create a task force that would work on how to stop the Pentagon gang, a group of former Muslim rebels who have turned to banditry in Mindanao. He is also expected to lead the generals in reassessing the PNP’s anti-crime program.

The recent kidnappings, meanwhile, have cast fear on wealthy Filipino-Chinese in the provinces.

In Angeles City in Pampanga, for instance, Filipino-Chinese residents are now staying indoors for fear of kidnap gangs. Those who usually jog in their subdivisions and local parks have also opted to exercise in their homes.

"Many of them have bought stationary bikes and treadmills for their daily exercise," one resident said. — With Ding Cervantes, Cecille Suerte Felipe