40-man anti-kidnap team sent to Binondo

MANILA, Philippines - National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Chief Supt. Oscar Albayalde ordered yesterday the deployment of 40 policemen in Binondo, Manila to deter kidnapping and extortion activities victimizing Chinese-Filipino families as well as Chinese nationals.

Albayalde opened communication lines with Teresita Ang See of the Movement for the Restoration of Peace and Order (MRPO) for direct reporting so police can act immediately in case of a kidnapping or extortion incident.

“They asked for maximum security and we gave them that. We assured them of prompt action once they report kidnapping and extortion cases directly to us. Our meeting was fruitful,” said Albayalde.

He said the 40 policemen to be deployed at the Chinatown district would come from the District Public Safety Battalion of the Manila Police District (MPD).

Ang See reported that at least five kidnapping incidents were reported to the MRPO since January, the latest of which was last month where the wife of a Chinese businessman paid ransom for his release.

Albayalde said the suspects identified themselves as agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) who claimed that the Chinese businessman has a standing arrest warrant for an “unknown case.”

The suspects presented identification cards but their names were not readable and their arrest warrant was folded and the businessman was not sure what case he is facing, he said.

After driving their victim around Manila he was released after his wife came up with the “ransom” money, Ang See reported to Albayalde.

The NCRPO chief said MRPO received no report of any kidnapping involving students in Chinese schools.

Despite this development, however, Albayalde directed MPD director Chief Supt. Joel Coronel to improve security measures in Chinese schools as a preemptive measure against kidnapping and extortion activities.

Albayalde’s meeting with Ang See came after President Duterte revealed in a recent speech that criminals have shifted to kidnapping due to the success of the government’s drive against illegal drugs.