While the Philippine National Police (PNP) regales us with low crime statistics, these numbers are easily erased with the occurrence of heinous and sensational crimes such as the recent kidnapping of a young boy in Taguig City.
The PNP records show a 26.76 percent drop in focus crimes, from 4,817 cases between January 1 and February 14, 2024 to 3,528 cases in the same period in 2025. Focus crimes include theft, robbery, rape, murder, homicide, physical injury, and carnapping of motor vehicles including motorcycles.
Quoting reports, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the child became missing on February 20 after he was dismissed from school. The boy and his driver never made it home, and their family vehicle was later found southbound on C-5 Road. The parents reported him missing to the police the following day, February 21.
What horrified a lot of people, including reporters and mediamen who are used to covering heinous crimes, was when the kidnappers sent a video showing the victim having one of his fingers cut off. The next day, another video was made showing the boy singing and smiling, proof that he was alive.
The kidnappers initially demanded a whopping $20 million ransom, according to Remulla, but later attempted to renegotiate it to $1 million.
This kidnapping case tested the capability of our Philippine National Police (PNP), particularly the Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) in solving the crime. The police found the body of the slain family driver. The body was found in an abandoned vehicle in San Rafael, Bulacan, along with various clues and pieces of evidence such as a cellphone, phone numbers, photos, etc.
The police’s relentless operation led them to Parañaque area, where a vehicle had left a young boy with a bandaged hand, dressed in pajamas. The policemen rescued the boy and brought him to safety, but failed to pursue the vehicle.
PNP-AKG Director Col. Elmer Ragay said police are investigating a Chinese-led group linked to previous kidnappings. They believe that the boy likely comes from a family of former POGO owners, and that POGO elements may be behind the kidnapping.
“Chinese to Chinese,” Remulla noted about the conversation between the kidnappers and the parents of the victim, done through WeChat.
Remnants of POGOs are still around and should be uprooted and stopped.
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