48 kidnap cases recorded in 2014

The number of kidnap-for-ransom (KFR) cases recorded by authorities went down slightly last year, according to data from the Philippine National Police (PNP).

From 52 cases in 2013, a total of 48 KFR incidents were reported to the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) in 2014. The number does not include 26 cases of abductions staged for reasons other than ransom and eight cases that turned out to be hoaxes.

When AKG was established in 2012, a total of 26 KFRs were reported to the unit that year.

Still, AKG head Senior Supt. Robert Fajardo considered the drop reflected in the 2014 numbers as a result of the enhanced cooperation between the police and barangay (village) officials in anticrime operations.

Also in 2014, 32 KFR suspects were arrested while one was killed when the police tried to serve a warrant for his arrest, the PNP said.

“The AKG further empowers the public in the fight against kidnap-for-ransom (syndicates) with the conduct of 20 seminars on the role of the barangay in the prevention of hkidnapping incidents, as well as 18 community awareness activities,” Fajardo said Friday as the AKG marked its third founding anniversary at Camp Crame.

Fajardo added that last year, 19 AKG personnel were sent abroad to train in the handling of crisis situations and rescue operations.

The AKG evolved from the Police Anti-Crime Emergency Response, or Pacer. Its predecessors include the Presidential Anti-Crime Commission, Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force, Special Task Group, National Anti-Crime Commission, and National Anti-Kidnapping Task Force. Julie M. Aurelio