Kidnapping-Related Incidents – March 2022
Clients who are fully subscribed to PSA’s Business Intelligence service automatically receive access to this report as a part of their subscription package. Non-subscribers may purchase the report as a standalone product at the following rates:
- USD 250 for digital access only
- USD 300 for digital access and one hard copy
- USD 50 for each additional hard copy
 |
|
Most of the kidnapping incidents recorded in March 2022 were personal dispute-related. Out of the total number of kidnapping incidents this month, two incidents were personal dispute-related, one POGO-related, and one NPA abduction. Based on the recorded incidents, only one abduction in March demanded ransom money worth PHP 600,000 (USD 11,493).
There have been four kidnap victims reported in March, one of them was a foreign victim – a Chinese national. PSA recorded no kidnapping incidents targeting Western nationals this month. Based on the recorded incidents, two abductions occurred within Metro Manila, while the other incidents took place in the provinces of Laguna and Surigao del Sur.
No abduction resulted in the demise of victims. Based on the recorded incidents, one incident was POGO-related where Chinese POGO employees abducted one Chinese national. Analysts note that although there were more POGO/gambling-related incidents in the previous year, a few incidents are still being recorded each month since February 2021. Meanwhile, one kidnapping incident was allegedly perpetrated by the Communist NPA rebels. The rebels reportedly targeted an incumbent vice mayor in Surigao del Sur. Analysts note that while the Communist NPA does not have a history of indiscriminately targeting civilians, the rebels are known to employ violence in order to maintain unquestioned support from residents and local officials in a specific area – particularly in locations with strategic significance to the NPA.
PSA recorded one successful kidnap rescue operation this month. The operation was in response to one personal dispute-related abduction targeting an infant. The victim was held by their captors 19 days prior to their rescue.
