Kidnapping-Related Incidents, December 2020

Description

Executive Summary

Half of the kidnapping incidents recorded in December 2020 were related to the POGO industry. Out of the total number of incidents this month, PSA recorded four POGO-related abductions, three personal dispute-related kidnappings, and one Maute kidnapping. Based on the recorded incidents, the amount of ransom money demanded by KFR suspects in December ranged from PHP 9 million (USD 187,279) to PHP 200 million (USD 4.162 million).

There have been 14 kidnap victims reported in December – six were foreign victims, four of which were Chinese nationals while two others were Taiwanese nationals. PSA recorded no kidnapping incidents targeting Western nationals this month. Based on the recorded incidents, four of the abductions occurred in cities within Metro Manila, while four other incidents took place in the provinces of Laguna, Quirino, and Lanao del Sur.

Out of the eight kidnappings recorded this month, three resulted in the demise of victims. Each incident was perpetrated by the Maute group, one KFR group, and unknown suspects. Analysts note that the Maute abduction was the most recent kidnapping incident
perpetrated by the group since 2017. Analysts also note that there has been a sudden increase in POGO/gambling-related incidents for this month. Only a few abductions involving the POGO and gambling industries were recorded this year. The last time where several POGO/gambling related abductions took place in a month was in July.

PSA recorded three successful kidnap rescue operations this month. These operations were in response to two POGO/gambling-related and one personal-dispute related abductions. Based on the recorded incidents, victims have been held by their captors between one day to 17 days prior to their rescue.