Metro police dispute Duterte on kidnappings

NCRPO director Chief Supt. Oscar Albayalde. INQUIRER FILE

The director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Saturday said there have been no recent reports of kidnappings in Metro Manila contrary to the claims of President Duterte.

Chief Supt. Oscar Albayalde said the antikidnapping group of the Philippine National Police showed no records of any kidnap for ransom in the metropolis over the past four months.

“We will validate the information although as of now, we have not received any report regarding  alleged kidnappings since the assumption of President Duterte,” Abayalde said.

An initial verification by the Manila Police District “also yielded negative” reports of any kidnapping, he added.

Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the President “has his own sources” of information regarding the kidnappings.

“That’s all I can say,” Abella said in an interview with the state-run dzRB radio.

Albayalde said the PNP would still validate the President’s revelations.

Addressing members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines on Thursday, Mr. Duterte said the low supply of illegal drugs due to the relentless war on drugs under his administration has forced crime groups to resort to kidnappings.

“It’s a new game. In three weeks, there were about six kidnappings in Binondo,” he said without giving details.

Albayalde said the police will hold talks with members of the Chinese community on Monday.

Many Chinese-Filipinos have been victims of past kidnappings.