PBBM orders police to go after POGO-tied kidnappers of foreign student

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (PCO Photo)

By Darryl John Esguerra, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered authorities to pursue the criminal syndicate behind the kidnapping of a foreign student in Taguig City.

In a Palace briefing Wednesday, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla bared that the syndicate was involved in a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) firm.

“We are definite na ang sindikato na nasa likod ng kidnapping ay former operators ng POGO din (We are definite that the syndicate behind the kidnapping were former operators of POGO),” Remulla said in a Palace briefing.

The student, enrolled at an international school in Taguig, was rescued by the Philippine National Police (PNP) after being kidnapped on Feb. 20.

Remulla said the police are fully aware of the kidnappers’ identities.

“Kung in full knowledge na, habulin niyo na lahat ‘yan (If you’re in full knowledge of the kidnappers, go after them immediately),” Remulla told reporters when asked about the President’s directive.

“We know their members. We have knowledge kung saan sila nakatira, kung saan ang hideout nila. So, expect that in the next few days, magi-intensify kami ng drive para mahuli silang lahat (of their whereabouts, we know their hideouts. Expect that in the coming days, we will intensify our drive to arrest these kidnappers),” he added.

Remulla also revealed that some AWOL (absent without official leave) police and military members serve as bodyguards for the syndicate’s key figures.

Meanwhile, PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group Director Col. Elmer Ragay bared that they are currently monitoring at least five kidnapping groups.

“We have already neutralized some of the members.

Itong mga at large ang tinatrabaho natin (We are hunting down those at large) We would be filing the necessary cases to secure warrants of arrest,” he said.