Kidnapped international school student in Taguig rescued —MRPO

A student of an international school in Taguig City has been rescued after being kidnapped last February 20, the Movement for Restoration of Peace and Order (MRPO) said Wednesday.

MRPO’s Ka Ken Chua said the victim was rescued on Tuesday evening and turned over to his family, according to a report of Allan Gatus on Dobol B TV.

The victim is reportedly suffering from trauma due to the kidnapping incident.

In a statement, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said the 14-year-old Chinese national was found abandoned along Macapagal Avenue in Parañaque City.

“The minor was safely recovered and immediately reunited with his father,” the PNP said.

“He was then brought to St. Luke’s Medical Center in Bonifacio Global City for a medical examination to ensure his well-being," it added.

According to the PNP, no ransom was paid.

The PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG), in coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), led the rescue operation.

Authorities are conducting further investigation to determine the circumstances of the case and identify the perpetrators.

"This rescue is a testament to our police force’s dedication to protecting all individuals within our borders. We will not allow criminal elements to instill fear in our communities," PNP chief Police General Rommel Marbil said.

“We will continue to strengthen our intelligence-gathering and operational capabilities to prevent similar incidents. The safety of every resident—Filipino or foreign—is our top priority,” he added.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Wednesday that a syndicate involved in the operations of a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) before was behind the kidnapping.

''We are definite na ang sindikato na nasa likod ng kidnapping ay former operators ng POGO din. We are definite na ang perpetrators ay ginamit ang kanilang former bodyguards na AWOL na ngayon sa serbisyo ng AFP at PNP,'' Remulla said in a Palace briefing.

(We are definite that the syndicate behind the kidnapping were former operators of POGO. We are definite that the perpetrators used their former bodyguards who were already AWOL from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police.)

Remulla also said the kidnapping incident is POGO-related.

''Ito ay resulta ng POGO. We suspect na ang biktima ay galing sa pamilya na nag-ooperate ng POGO dati,'' Remulla said at a Palace press briefing.

(This is a result of POGO. We suspect that the victim came from a family who operated a POGO before.)

Remulla said the perpetrators of the crime are still here in the country.

''We will make sure that they will be neutralized at the soonest possible time,'' Remulla said.

In the same briefing, Remulla disclosed that the driver of the child was found murdered in another vehicle.  

Meanwhile, some pieces of evidence were also recovered in the vehicle.

Asked about the motive of the kidnapping, Remulla said it was just about money.

Authorities are now on a manhunt for the perpetrators of the crime. —KG, GMA Integrated News