Kidnapping-Related Incidents – July 2022
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More than half of the kidnapping incidents recorded in July 2022 were personal dispute-related. Out of the total number of kidnapping incidents this month, seven incidents were personal dispute-related while three incidents were POGO-related. Based on the recorded incidents, three abductions in July demanded ransom money with a total of PHP 103.8 million (USD 1.8 million).
There have been 19 kidnap victims reported in July, 13 of them were foreign victims – one Malaysian and 12 Chinese nationals. PSA recorded no kidnapping incidents targeting Western nationals this month. Based on the recorded incidents, six abductions occurred within Metro Manila, while the other incidents took place in the provinces of Cavite, Isabela, Negros Occidental, and Pampanga.
Out of the 10 kidnappings recorded this month, two incidents resulted in the demise of victims. Both incidents were perpetrated by unidentified suspects who abducted a pharmaceutical firm chief executive officer and a junk collector. Analysts note that the suspects seemed to have other motivation than abducting the victims. The incidents appeared to have been done to transfer the victims to another location for eventual execution. Meanwhile, three abductions were POGO-related, where in one incident, the suspects kidnapped seven Chinese nationals. Analysts note that POGO/gambling-related abductions are a recurring and systemic issue. Although there were more POGO/gambling-related incidents in the previous years, a few incidents are still being recorded each month since February 2021.
PSA recorded four successful kidnap rescue operations this month. The operations were in response to two personal dispute-related and two POGO-related abductions targeting one Malaysian and five Chinese nationals. The victims were held by their captors in less than a day to six days prior to their rescue.
