17 KFR cases recorded in first quarter of 2006

Kidnapping cases increased by 70 percent during the first four months of this year, compared to the same period in 2005, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said yesterday.

Senior Superintendent Prudencio Tom Bañas, Police Anti-Crime and Emergency Response (PACER) deputy chief for operations, said as of April, 17 kidnapping cases had been reported, up from 10 cases during the same period last year.

Bañas attributed the rise in kidnapping cases to the police force’s preoccupation with destabilization threats and anti-government protests.

"When there is chaos, the kidnappers take advantage of the situation," he said.

However, the rate is not alarming, he added.

Bañas told reporters that in 2004, only 29 kidnapping cases were recorded, the lowest ever but in 2005, a total of 50 kidnapping cases were reported.

"We hope to bring the cases (in 2006) down to the lowest level with the program initiated by PNP chief Director General Arturo Lomibao and PACER chief Deputy Director General Oscar Calderon," he said.

Bañas also raised concern over a new kidnapping modus operandi targeting Indian nationals, especially those in the lending business in the community.

"They are kidnapped and released on the same day, sometimes only for P60,000 in ransom," he said.

In a PNP sponsored forum "Talakayan sa Isyu ng Pulis," Bañas said only one case of kidnapping of an Indian national had been recorded by police, although intelligence reports said several Indian businessmen had been snatched and released upon payment of ransom ranging from P60,000 to P200,000. — Cecille Suerte Felipe