Only 1 KFR reported
in 1Q of 2008: PACER

THE anti-kidnapping unit of the Philippine National Police said only one case of kidnap-for-ransom was reported in the first three months of the year.

Senior Supt. Leonardo Espina, chief of the Police Anti-Crime and Emergency Response (PACER), said in their 1st Quarter Accomplishment Report to PNP Chief Director General Avelino Razon, that the lone kidnapping case was eventually solved with the arrest of the suspect and safe rescue of the victim, son of a hardware owner.

Razon instructed PACER to sustain the momentum of this first quarter's and last year's successful anti-kidnapping operations. "We must seize the opportunity now that we are enjoying the full support of the community in accounting for all wanted kidnapping suspects before they can regroup or reorganize," Razon said.

He also ordered Espina's unit to continue manhunt operations against the 23 suspects still on the list of Most Wanted persons involved in kidnap-for-ransom activities.

PACER arrested five Most Wanted kidnapping suspects this year, including Taupin Anahalul, who carried a P1 million reward for his capture; Manny Escobar with a reward of P250,000; and Indian nationals Darshun Shandu and Surinder Singh, both suspected of masterminding the kidnapping of their fellow Indians in Central Luzon; and Ronie Dillung, wanted in Basilan for kidnapping and murder.

Last year, PACER bagged 14 Most Wanted kidnapping suspects on its list.

Espina said the text messages being circulated by unknown persons claiming that "kidnapping is rampant again" and being perpetrated by a Chinese gang are a hoax. "No such kidnapping of a Fil-Chi cellphone trader ever occurred, much more the supposed P200-million bank transfer payoff."

He said they are now coordinating with other police and law enforcement agencies to trace the authors of this latest text scare. A similar incident occurred late last year but police found the details described in the messages as untrue and the persons mentioned non-existent.