PNP to file criminal raps vs Rodwell’s kidnappers

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) said yesterday criminal charges will be filed against the people behind the kidnapping of Australian Warren Rodwell, who was released by his captors after his family reportedly paid P4 million in ransom.

PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima said the Anti-Kidnapping Group is conducting a thorough investigation for the filing of criminal charges against the people behind the kidnapping of Rodwell, who was kept for 15 months.

“We are investigating this case, we have identified some people and we will be filing cases against these people. And if names crop up during investigation we will file cases against them,” Purisima said yesterday over ANC.

Purisima maintained that the government’s no ransom policy should be upheld, but admitted they could not stop the family of the victim from paying ransom. He also pointed out that payment of ransom would only encourage kidnappers, making kidnapping a lucrative business.

“Basically, when you pay ransom, the probability of you being kidnapped again is very high. I’ve been the chief of PACER (Police Anti-Crime Emergency Response) from 2002 to 2004 and there have been repetition of being kidnapped if the family is paying ransom, that’s why we urge them not to pay and let the police work and we will neutralize these kidnapping for ransom groups,” he added.

Rodwell was taken in December 2011 allegedly by the Abu Sayyaf Group and was freed last March 23 after his family paid ransom.

Rodwell’s wife claimed she sold their property to raise the ransom for her husband, but Purisima said authorities have no evidence yet on the ransom payment.

“There is no evidence that ransom has been paid, they told us that they paid, although the statement may be correct or may be wrong also,” he noted.

Purisima also said they could not hold liable Basilan Vice Gov. Al-Rasheed Sakalahul for acting as one of the negotiators, who reportedly managed to convince the Abu Sayyaf to reduce the amount of ransom from P7 million to P4 million.

“The policy of the government is no ransom policy. But there’s no law yet that provides if you help a kidnap victim pay ransom, you will be liable, maybe there is a need for some revision in law,” Purisima pointed out.

He also said the PNP is already conducting background investigation on the mediator, the person who facilitated the payment of ransom.

“The most important thing in kidnapping is to bring back the kidnapped person alive. That’s the main target of our authorities, bring the victim alive, if the person is dead there’s no need for rescue operations, so that’s the main concern of the government,” he added.