Kidnapping-Related Incidents – December 2023
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PSA Consultancy recorded three (3) kidnapping-related incidents involving three (3) victims in December 2023. Two incidents were perpetrated by Kidnap-for-Ransom groups, including one incident related to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO). Meanwhile, another incident was personal dispute-related. The two incidents involved or demanded ransom payment worth CNY 100,000 (USD 14,080.77).
Of the three (3) kidnap victims reported during the period, two were foreign victims of Chinese nationality. PSA recorded zero kidnapping incidents targeting Western nationals this month. Based on the recorded incidents, two abductions occurred within Metro Manila while one abduction happened in Leyte.
One kidnapping incident resulted in the demise of the victim. The incident was personal dispute-related and was reportedly done in retaliation against alleged labor abuses.
Meanwhile, one kidnapping incident this month explicitly involved a Vietnamese POGO worker. The incident was perpetrated by a KFR group that reportedly targeted POGO firms.
PSA notes that explictly POGO-related kidnapping incidents appeared to only have been reported in the last quarter of 2023. Nonetheless, incidents that were suspected to be POGO-related involving both Chinese suspects or victims, as well those of other Southeast and East Asian foreign nationalities, persisted throughout the year. Chinese-on-Chinese kidnapping incidents specifically have persisted month to month since 2021. Most of these continue to be very specific and targeted abductions that more or less may have something to do with gambling-related debt or other financial motivations.
PSA did not record any successful rescue operations this month.
