Kidnapping-Related Incidents – August 2023
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The majority of the kidnapping incidents recorded in August 2023 were personal dispute-related. Seven kidnapping incidents this month were personal dispute-related while one incident was perpetrated by a Kidnap-for-Ransom (KFR) group. In one abduction this month, one victim was coerced to transfer PHP 6,975,931 (USD 124,233) to one of the suspects’ bank account. Meanwhile, in another incident, the suspect reportedly demanded a ransom payment of PHP 3,500 (USD 62) from the victim’s family.
The kidnapping incidents in August victimized nine kidnap victims, which comprised seven locals and two foreigners. The two foreign victims were one Chinese and one Taiwanese nationals. Meanwhile, PSA recorded no kidnapping incidents targeting Western nationals this month. Based on the recorded incidents, three abductions occurred in Metro Manila, while the other incidents took place in the provinces of Rizal, Batangas, and Cebu.
None of the kidnapping incidents resulted in the demise of the victims. Based on PSA data, one abduction was perpetrated by a KFR group targeting one Taiwanese national. Including this incident, PSA recorded two Chinese-on-Chinese abductions for August. While both incidents were not explicitly POGO- or gambling-related, analysts note that Chinese-on-Chinese kidnapping incidents are a recurring and systemic issue. Nonetheless, such incidents have been on a decline in recent years but a few continue to be recorded monthly since February 2021.
PSA recorded five successful kidnap rescue operations this month. The operations were in response to one KFR and four personal dispute-related abductions. The victims were held by their captors for less than a day to six days prior to their rescue.
