Kidnapping-Related Incidents – July 2023
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All of the kidnapping incidents recorded in July 2023 were personal dispute-related. None of the incidents were perpetrated by Kidnap-for-Ransom (KFR) groups, and no abductions during the month involved or demanded ransom money.
There were two kidnap victims reported in July. One of them was a foreign victim of Chinese nationality. PSA recorded zero kidnapping incidents targeting Western nationals this month. Based on the recorded incidents, one abduction occurred within Batangas, while the other incident took place in the province of Pampanga.
None of the kidnapping incidents resulted in the demise of the victims. Based on PSA data, one abduction involved suspects of Chinese nationality targeting a fellow Chinese national. While it was not explicitly POGO/gambling-related, analysts note that Chinese-on-Chinese kidnapping incidents are a recurring and systemic issue. While such incidents have been on a decline in recent years, a few incidents continue to be recorded monthly since February 2021.
PSA notes that authorities successfully rescued the two kidnap victims this month. The victims were held by their captors for less than a day to three days prior to their rescue.
