Kidnapping-Related Incidents – January 2023
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PSA has recorded only one kidnapping incident for the month of January 2023. The abduction incident was personal dispute-related allegedly perpetrated by suspected government security forces. There was no ransom money demanded by the suspects in January.
There were two kidnap victims for January, both Filipino nationals. PSA recorded no kidnapping incidents targeting Western nationals this month. Based on the recorded incident, the abduction took place in the province of Cebu.
Analysts note that this is not the first time red-tagged individuals have been abducted, with two incidents recorded since 2020 based on PSA data. Reports disclosed that the suspects allegedly introduced themselves as police officers and abducted the victims for being activists. Prior to their abduction, the victims have reportedly been red-tagged since 2020 due to their participation in civil society organizations. Rights groups have decried the red-tagging of activists and civil society leaders as they note on multiple occasions that there is no concrete proof to back up claims of terrorist connections or activity. PSA believes there is a link between the Communist New People’s Army (NPA) and civil society organizations, in such a way that NPA recruitment happens within these civil organizations, not necessarily by the organizations themselves but by Communist rebels who join these groups to conduct recruitment and propaganda activities.
PSA did not record any successful rescue operations this month.
