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DILG's Remulla says kidnappers of student were involved in POGO before
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 of an international student in Taguig City.
''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 (absent without leave) 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.)
A student of an international school in Taguig City was rescued by authorities after being kidnapped last February 20, the Movement for Restoration of Peace and Order (MRPO) said Wednesday.
Remulla 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.
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.
Police earlier said the kidnap victim, a 14-year-old Chinese national, was found abandoned along Macapagal Avenue in Parañaque City.
According to the PNP, no ransom was paid.
''Let me make another point clear, a ransom demand went from 20 million dollars to one million dollars to no ransom being paid by the family. I would like to congratulate the AKG, the NCRPO for their vigilant efforts in chasing after this. This is a function of effective policing,'' Remulla said.
The victim was brought to St. Luke’s Medical Center in Bonifacio Global City for a medical examination to ensure his well-being.
POGO, e-selling
Police Colonel Randulf Tuaño, PNP public information acting chief, said authorities are looking into the possibility that the kidnapping of the victim had something to do with his father's connection to POGO and online-selling business.
“Ang isa sa miyembro ng pamilya po ay dati pong involved sa business ng POGO na kung saan pinag-uusapan po nila yung pagbabayad ng mga utang. 'Yun din ang sinusundan ng AKG (Anti-Kidnapping Group),” he said.
(One of the family members was previously involved in the POGO business where they were discussing the payment of debts. AKG is also following this lead.)
“Ito po ay isang big time e-seller ng lahat po ng merchandise na pwede ibenta online (The father of the victim a big time e-seller of all merchandise that can be sold online)," he added.
Driver murdered
Meanwhile, Remulla disclosed that the driver of the child was found murdered in another vehicle.
Some pieces of evidence were also recovered in the vehicle.
''The driver of the child was found murdered inside another vehicle. In that vehicle yielded information regarding the syndicate which was operating… which operates in this manner,'' Remulla said.
''Now, the contents include pictures, conversations, cellphone numbers, strategies, casings of how they would do the job. Now, the driver is already deceased so he cannot be considered a person of interest. However, the vehicle where he was found yielded evidence,'' he added.
Asked about the motive of the kidnapping, Remulla said it was just about money.
Authorities are now going after the perpetrators of the kidnapping.
“Sa ngayon ay ongoing 'yung operation. May mga suspek na po tayong tinutumbok. According to [Anti-Kidnapping Group director Police Colonel Elmer Ragay], posible po na makuha natin 'yung mga suspek,” Tuaño said.
(Right now the operation is ongoing. There are suspects we are targeting. According to Anti-Kidnapping Group director Police Colonel Elmer Ragay, it is possible for us to capture the suspects.) — KG/ VDV, GMA Integrated News
