MANILA, Philippines — Only half of the reported kidnapping cases so far this year are legitimate, Philippine National Police Anti Kidnapping Group Director Brigadier General Cosme Abrenica said on Thursday.
“For 2024, we only have 18 cases of kidnapping but nine of them are hoax kidnapping,” Abrenica disclosed in an interview at Camp Crame.
On legitimate kidnapping this year, Abrenica said two cases were already resolved, three were already “cleared” while four are still under investigation.
“There are incidents of traditional kidnapping but many of them have already been solved but there are [cases] still under investigation because the investigation for kidnapping takes time,” he said.
Majority of the kidnappings this year involved Chinese nationals, with most happening within Metro Manila, according to the official.
The latest kidnapping incident in the country this year occurred on May 19 in Pasay City, where two Chinese nationals were arrested for kidnapping their fellow Chinese over a casino debt.
Abrenica said the victim owed the suspects P180,000, but they now want P1.8 million in return.
Three of the kidnapping cases this year were also related to the operations of the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator establishments, according to Abrenica.
Meanwhile, the official noted that kidnapping cases this year were fewer compared to the same period in 2023 when 13 cases were reported.
Of these cases, he said eight were solved, two were “cleared” while three still remain under investigation.