Kidnap-for-ransom cases down by 24 percent

MANILA, Philippines -  The Philippine National Police-Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG) yesterday reported a decrease in the number of kidnap-for-ransom cases in the country.

AKG spokesman Supt. Abelardo Borromeo said they have recorded only nine kidnap-for-ransom cases since January this year.

In 2016, a total of 29 incidents were reported, lower by 23.68 percent compared with the 38 cases in 2015 and 40.81 percent lower compared with the 49 incidents reported to their office in 2014.

The AKG recorded the highest number of kidnapping incidents, at 52, in 2013, which prompted them to conduct police operations.

“There is a downward trend in the number of recorded incidents,” Borromeo said in a press briefing at Camp Crame.

Borromeo attributed the downtrend to the neutralization of organized crime groups involved in kidnapping two years ago, noting that the nine cases in Luzon this year were perpetrated by certain individuals motivated by money.

The perpetrators are unlike organized syndicates, which are well-funded and have connections with different law enforcement agencies, according to the AKG spokesman.

“The operations of these organized groups transcend the boundaries of provinces or regions. They have resources that are out of the ordinary,” Borromeo said.

Sixteen persons – eight Filipinos, six Chinese and two Indians – fell victim to the nine kidnapping cases this year, which all took place in Luzon, with ransom demands that ranged from P1.1 million to $2 million.

Two of the kidnap victims were killed by their captors in Bulacan, according to Borromeo.

Six had been solved after the victims were released or rescued and charges had been filed, while three are still considered as live cases.