Kidnapping-Related Incidents – November 2024
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PSA Consultancy recorded four (4) kidnapping-related incidents involving four (4) victims in November 2024. Two incidents were perpetrated by a Kidnap-for-Ransom (KFR) group and involved or demanded ransom worth over PHP 200,000 (USD 3,431.12). The rest of the incidents were personal dispute-related abductions.
Based on the recorded incidents, two incidents happened in Pampanga, one in Agusan del Sur, and one in Bukidnon. Of the five kidnap victims reported during the period, one was a foreign victim of Nigerian nationality. None of the kidnapping incidents in November resulted in the demise of the victims.
One of the incidents in November involved the abduction of a Nigerian student by an alleged Nigerian kidnap-for-ransom syndicate. Analysts note that this is the first abduction perpetrated by Nigerian suspects and the first incident targeting a Nigerian victim for 2024, and only the second since 2015.
Meanwhile, one of the incidents involved the abduction of a businessman by suspects posing as government forces in the province of Pampanga. PSA notes that kidnapping suspects tend to employ the modus operandi of posing as law enforcement officials using fake or stolen uniforms to more easily coerce their victims. At the same time, analysts also recognize the occurrence of kidnapping incidents that do involve confirmed government forces as perpetrators. These incidents are often targeted and politically motivated.
PSA recorded three successful rescue operations this month. The rescue operations were in response to two KFR incidents and one personal dispute-related abduction. Two of the victims were held for less than a day while one victim was held for an undisclosed period prior to their rescue.
