MANILA, Philippines – At least four kidnap groups are operating in Metro Manila, Luzon and Visayas, a police official said yesterday.
Senior Superintendent Isagani Nerez, chief of Police Anti-Crime Emergency Response (PACER), said each group has at least six members but there were incidents when a group would borrow members or logistics from another group.
“The groups have dismissed or retired members of the police and military, we are doing our best to account for all of them,” said Nerez, who explained that PACER handles kidnapping cases perpetrated by organized crime groups and motivated by ransom.
Nerez remained silent on the kidnapping of eight persons, including seven school children, in Valenzuela City last Thursday.
The father was about to drive the children to their respective schools in Caloocan City and Quezon City, when unidentified armed men stopped the van of the victims near their home.
He noted that at least 18 kidnapping incidents were recorded from January to October this year, which was lower than 35 cases in 2009.
“Many of the suspects were killed in the 18 kidnapping cases this year. Last Saturday was the most recent, wherein five suspects were killed in a shootout in Cavite,” Nerez said.
The PACER chief said from January to date, records show 19 suspected members of kidnap groups have been killed.
“We are going after the remnants because their leaders are in jail. Some have been convicted while others are (still on trial),” he said.
Nerez reiterated his advise to families who fear being kidnapped not to quarrel with their neighbors since in some cases, neighbors and co-workers can act as tipsters.
“You assign a security officer to the family, you secure your home, make an evasive habit that will not be detected by kidnappers, don’t show your affluence, you might become an instant target,” he said Nerez.