Kidnapping-Related Incidents – March 2023
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
 |
|
Majority of the kidnapping incidents recorded in March 2023 were personal dispute-related. Out of the total number of kidnapping incidents this month, two incidents were personal dispute-related, and one incident was perpetrated by a Kidnap-for-Ransom (KFR) group. Based on the recorded incidents, one abduction in March demanded ransom money with a total value of PHP 1 million (USD 18,269.18).
There have been three kidnap victims reported in March, all Filipino nationals. PSA recorded no kidnapping incidents targeting Western nationals this month. Based on the recorded incidents, one abduction occurred within Metro Manila, while the other incidents took place in the provinces of Cagayan and Zamboanga del Sur.
One kidnapping incident resulted in the demise of the victim. The incident was perpetrated by a kidnap-for-ransom group who abducted a Filipino-Chinese businessman in Metro Manila. Analysts note that since 2016, a large number of kidnapping victims in Metro Manila had links to criminal organizations or to some form of gambling activity such as POGO, casinos, or e-sabong (online cockfighting). This incident is noteworthy as the victim had no ties to any of the above, nor bore any of the typical risk factors associated with kidnapping in the country. It is probable that the suspects were a POGO kidnapping syndicate who branched out to target individuals outside of the industry. Nonetheless, there is currently no indication that this specific incident represents a trend or a dramatic shift in the threat environment in the Philippines.
PSA did not record any successful rescue operations this month.
