Cops: No kidnapping syndicate here in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - Following the abduction of an 18-month-old boy last Monday, the Regional Intelligence Division–7 assured that there is no kidnapping syndicate in Cebu.

“As of this time dinhi sa Central Visayas, we have not monitored any group involved in kidnap-for-ransom,” said Senior Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas, chief of RID-7.

Lawas said they are in close coordination with other law enforcement agencies such as the National Bureau of Investigation and the Armed Forces of the Philippines regarding this matter.

Even though no such groups exist here, Lawas said everyone should be vigilant. 

“Sugdan na nato daan diri pinaagi sa mga lakang nga mabuhat na nato,” he said.

Lawas said groups operating in other areas may not be involved in traditional kidnap-for-ransom alone but with other illegal operations. These include the sale of babies to childless couples and forced labor.

For forced labor, the intelligence chief said children are housed in a certain area where they are “indoctrinated” and later made to work for various criminal syndicates.

He said such criminal groups pick their victims depending on their intended use.

“Most of these incidents nga gikuha ang mga bata nahitabo na sa mga eskwelahan,” Lawas said.

With enough men, Lawas hopes to sustain augmentation of policemen in schools to maintain peace and order or tap various force multipliers.  

On Thursday, the baby boy earlier reported abducted was found abandoned at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral and later reunited with his parents. Investigation revealed that a relative might have abducted the boy. (FREEMAN)