By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday said a Chinese student who was reported to have been kidnapped in Taguig City on Feb. 20 was found abandoned along Macapagal Avenue in Parañaque City.
According to the PNP’s Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) report, the 14-year-old Chinese was reported missing after he did not return home from an activity at the British School of Manila on Feb. 20.
The police reunited the foreign student with his father and had him medically examined at a hospital in Taguig City.
Citing intelligence reports of the AKG, PNP public information chief Col. Randulf Tuaño said a family member of the missing student was previously involved in the Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) industry and high-stakes e-commerce dealings.
“Initially, ang isa sa miyembro ng pamilya ay dati involved sa business ng POGO na kung saan ay pinag-uusapan nila yata yung pagbabayad ng mga binabayarang utang. Yun yung lead na sinusundan ng AKG natin (Initially, one of the family members was previously involved in the business of POGO where they were talking about the payment of the paid debts. That’s the lead that our AKG is following),” Tuaño said in a briefing in Camp Crame on Wednesday.
In a statement, PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said there was no ransom paid in the case of the kidnapped Chinese student.
“This rescue is a testament to our police force’s dedication to protecting all individuals within our borders. We will not allow criminal elements to instill fear in our communities,” Marbil said.
He said the kidnapping appeared to have been motivated by past operations of POGOs in the country.
As President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered a total POGO ban last year, he said there were some operators in the past that were buried in debt, and the people who loaned them money are now forcing them to pay.
“We will continue to strengthen our intelligence-gathering and operational capabilities to prevent similar incidents. The safety of every resident —Filipino or foreign— is our top priority,” he added. (PNA)
