Metro Manila, Philippines – The Chinese student abducted last week has been safely returned to his parents following a series of operations led by the police anti-kidnapping group (AKG) and the military, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced on Wednesday, February 26.
The student, who attends an international school, was reported missing on Feb. 20.
In a press briefing, Remulla said the kidnappers demanded $20 million (roughly P1 billion) from the parents.
“Subsequently, a demand ransom of 20 million US dollars was made. Ito po ay hiningi at tinanggihan ng magulang. Pagkatapos po noon, noong Sabado ay naglabas po ng video na iyong bata ay pinuputulan ng daliri,” Remulla said.
[Translation: A ransom demand of $20 million was made. The parents refused to pay. After that, on Saturday, the kidnappers released a video showing the child’s finger being cut off]
Remulla said another conversation took place between the family and the kidnappers. He described the perpetrators as part of a “sophisticated syndicate” that used advanced technology to evade authorities.
“Noong kinalingguhan ay nagkaroon na naman ng conversation, ito po ay humingi ang magulang ng proof of life – iyong proof of life ay pinakita iyong bata na kumakanta ng paboritong awitin ng kaniyang nakababatang kapatid,” he said.
[Translation: Later that week, another conversation happened. The parents asked for proof of life – the kidnappers then showed a video of the child singing the favorite song of his younger sibling]
Authorities tracked the kidnappers’ vehicle on Tuesday, leading to a pursuit operation in Parañaque.
“And in that pursuit, a few minutes after, in the Parañaque area may nakita silang isang bata na naka-pajama na nakatayo sa gitna ng kalye na may benda ang kamay. The choice was pursuing the vehicle or securing the child. Obviously, ang AKG inuna iyong bata,” Remulla explained.
[Translation: During the pursuit, just minutes later in the Parañaque area, they saw a child in pajamas standing in the middle of the street with a bandaged hand. The police had to choose between chasing the vehicle or securing the child. Obviously, the AKG prioritized rescuing the child.]
The DILG chief said the student is safe and undergoing debriefing with his family, while authorities continue to hunt down the kidnappers.
POGO-Related Kidnapping
Remulla said the case is linked to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs), as the victim’s parents were previously involved in the industry.
“Ito ay resulta ng POGO. We suspect na ang biktima ay galing sa pamilya na nag-o-operate ng POGO dati. We are definite na ang sindikato na nasa likod ng kidnapping ay former operators ng POGO din,” he stated.
[Translation: This is a result of POGOs. We suspect that the victim comes from a family that previously operated a POGO. We are certain that the syndicate behind this kidnapping consists of former POGO operators as well]
Remulla vowed to “neutralize” the perpetrators and ensure justice for the victim’s family.
The police said five in eight kidnapping cases this year have been resolved.
