Police bust alleged kidnap-for-ransom group in Rizal

Members of the Philippine National Police-Anti Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG) arrested five alleged members of a kidnap for ransom (KFR) group in separate operations in Rizal, according to a "24 Oras" report by Jun Veneracion.

The suspects were said to be members of the Madriaga KFR group, known for its kidnap-for-ransom scheme.

The lawyer of the suspects, in a statement, denied the allegations.

“Meron silang time frame na pag hindi nakabayad within specific period yung family of the victim, sinasaktan and pinapatay nila,” PNP-AKG deputy director Lieutenant Colonel Moises Villaceran said.

“This group is also involved in providing VIP security [to] some businessmen and some politicians sa NCR area at Region 4A,” an AKG operative said.

The group was believed to be behind the kidnapping of two Filipino-Chinese nationals that led to a shootout in Pillila, Rizal last June.  It was also allegedly responsible for the killing of a PNP-AKG operative.

The leader of the group collapsed inside the AKG headquarters before an interrogation.  He was reportedly suffering from epilepsy and hypertension.

According to PNP intelligence reports, the suspects were preparing to regroup for another possible kidnapping target or as a private army.

In a statement, Danny Villanueva, lawyer of the suspects, said reports on the Madriaga kidnap-for-ransom group were "false."

He said his clients were linked to a crime that happened on June 14, 2022 based on a confession of a witness, who later on recanted his testimony.

Villanueva added the "confession was extracted under duress, intimidation and violence." —Jiselle Casucian/LDF, GMA Integrated News